§ 4-209

Disposal of unclaimed vehicles more than 7 years of age; disposal of abandoned or unclaimed vehicles without notice. (a) When the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons of an abandoned, lost, or unclaimed vehicle of 7 years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this Chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided in Section 4-208 without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined. (b) When an abandoned vehicle of more than 7 years of age is impounded as specified by this Chapter, or when any such vehicle is towed at the request or with the consent of the owner or operator and is subsequently abandoned, it will be kept in custody or storage for a minimum of 10 days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons and contacting the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons by the U. S. Mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition; and, an examination of the Illinois State Police stolen vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the 10 day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons, the vehicle may be disposed of in either of the following ways: (1) The law enforcement agency having jurisdiction will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk or salvage. (2) The towing service may sell the vehicle in the manner provided in Section 4-208 of this Code, provided that this paragraph (2) shall not apply to vehicles towed by order or authorization of a law enforcement agency. (c) A vehicle classified as an antique vehicle, expanded-use antique vehicle, custom vehicle, or street rod may however be sold to a person desiring to restore it.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)