(A) Disposal of unclaimed vehicles with notice.
(1) When an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed vehicle seven years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lien holder or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of 30 days after notice has been given as required by § 93.05, the Police Department or towing service having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public auction 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 where the vehicle is impounded, 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, lien holder 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 what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
(2) In those instances where the certified notification specified in this chapter has been returned by the postal authorities to the Police Department or towing service due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of the state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.
(B) Disposal of unclaimed vehicles without notice.
(1) When the identity of the registered owner, lien holder or other person legally entitled to possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle of seven years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided in division (A) above without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined.
(2) When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner and lien holder; contacting the registered owner and lien holder by United States mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition; and for an examination of the state police stolen vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten-day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner or the lien holder, the Police Department will cause it to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. If the vehicle is not sold, it may be disposed of as junk.
(3) A vehicle classified as an antique vehicle may, however, be sold to a person desiring to restore it.
(C) Titling vehicles after sale; removal of liens. An applicant for a certificate of title under this chapter shall proceed under 625 ILCS 5/4-212.
(Prior Code, § 93.07) (Ord. 02-10-01, passed 10-14-2002)