(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED VEHICLE. Any vehicle which is left at any place for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned.
INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLE.
(a) Any motor vehicle from which, for a period of at least 45 days, the engine, wheels, or other parts have been removed, or on which the engine, wheels, or other parts have been altered, damaged, or otherwise so treated that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own motor power.
(b) INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLE does not include a motor vehicle which has been rendered temporarily incapable of being driven under its own power in order to perform ordinary service or repair operations, nor to any motor vehicles that are kept within a building when not in use, to historic vehicles over 25 years of age, or to a motor vehicle on the premises of a place of business engaged in wrecking or junking of motor vehicles.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
PROPERTY. Any real property within the city which is not a street or highway.
STREET or HIGHWAY. The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
VEHICLE. A machine propelled by power other than human power designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, runners, treads, or slides, and transport persons or property or pull machinery and shall include, without limitation, automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, and wagon.
(1978 Code, § 10.20.010)
(B) Abandoning vehicle prohibited. No person shall abandon any vehicle within the city, and no person shall leave any vehicle at any place within the city, for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned.
(1978 Code, § 10.20.020)
(C) Inoperable motor vehicle deemed nuisance. Inoperable motor vehicles, as defined in this section, are a nuisance.
(1978 Code, § 10.20.030)
(D) Disposition of inoperable motor vehicle; required upon receipt of notice. All persons are required to dispose of any inoperable motor vehicle under their control upon written notice received from the corporate authorities or from the Chief of Police or any member of his or her Department designated by him or her commanding such disposition of said inoperable motor vehicle.
(1978 Code, § 10.20.040)
(E) Impoundment authorized. The corporate authorities or any person designated by them or the Chief of Police or any member of his or her Department designated by him or her is authorized to remove or have removed any vehicle left at any place within the city which reasonably appears to be in violation of this section or which reasonably appears to be lost, stolen, or unclaimed, or which is an inoperable vehicle as defined in division (A) above. Such vehicle shall be impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/4-207 and 4-208.
(1978 Code, § 10.20.050)
(Ord. 417, passed - -1971; Ord. 621, passed - -1986) Penalty, see § 92.999
Statutory references:
Abandoned vehicles, see 625 ILCS 5/4-201 et seq.