(A) When the police department authorizing the impounding of a vehicle does not know the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally-entitled person, it will cause the vehicle registration records of the state to be searched by the Secretary of State for the purpose of obtaining the required ownership information.
(1) The police department will cause the stolen motor vehicle files of the state police to be searched by a directed communication to the state police for stolen or wanted information on the vehicle. When the state police files are searched with negative results, the information contained in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files will be searched by the state police. The information determined from these record searches will be returned to the police department for use in sending notice by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally-entitled person advising where the vehicle is held, requesting a disposition be made, and setting forth public sale information.
(2) Notification shall be sent no later than ten days after the date the police department impounds or authorizes the impounding of a vehicle, provided that if the police department is unable to determine the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other person legally-entitled to ownership of the impounded vehicle within a ten-day period after impoundment, then notification shall be sent no later than two days after the date the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other person legally entitled to ownership of the impounded vehicle is determined. Exceptions to a notification by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally-entitled persons are as set forth in § 90.06(B).
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-205)
(B) When the registered owner, lienholder, or other person legally entitled to the possession of a vehicle cannot be identified from the registration files of this state or other state, if applicable, the police department shall notify the Illinois State Police for the purpose of identifying the vehicle owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. The information obtained by the Illinois State Police will be immediately forwarded to the police department for notification purposes as set forth in division (A) above.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-206)