When an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed vehicle seven years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of thirty days after notice has been given as provided in Section 418.06 of this Traffic Code and Section 4-206 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Chief of Police or the towing service having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten days prior to the sale, the Police Department or the towing service where the vehicle is impounded shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder and other persons known by the Police Department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and shall state what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
In those instances where the certified notification specified in Section 418.06 of this Traffic Code and Section 4-206 of the Illinois Vehicle Code is returned by the postal authorities to the Police Department or towing service because the addressee has moved, or because the addressee is unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of the State, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.