A dead car in East Moline: city code, court warrants and a whole-car sale

When a car becomes a nuisance in East Moline

Section 9-11-2 bars keeping an abandoned, hazardous, inoperable or unregistered vehicle "whether upon public or private property within the city." The city's test for inoperable covers a car missing its "engine, wheels or other essential parts," or damaged so that it is "incapable of being driven under its own power for a period of at least seven (7) days."

Only two settings escape it. A closed building on private land is one, since the section exempts "any vehicle enclosed within a building on private property." A properly zoned shop that repairs, wrecks or junks cars is the other.

Clocks for streets and city lots

The definitions in 9-11-1 set short limits away from your own land:

• Street or alley: standing there "for over a seventy-two (72) hour period" is treated as evidence the car was abandoned.
• City property: more than two hours on city-owned ground, other than a street or alley.
• City parking lot: more than twelve hours in a city-owned lot.

How the warrant works

Officers file a sworn application laying out facts that give probable cause to call the car abandoned or inoperative. The judge rules on just two points: that probable cause, and whether the car is parked against the chapter. If both hold, "a warrant to remove the vehicle shall issue" and the tow follows.

After impound, age decides the next step. A car "of more than seven (7) years of age" sits in custody for ten days or longer while police write to, call on or publicly notify the registered owner and check state stolen-car files. With no reply, the department may send it off "as junk only." Section 9-11-11 lets the city sell a newer car whose owner cannot be identified without giving notice.

Paperwork on the Illinois side

Rock Island County has no title counter for this. The Illinois Secretary of State issues East Moline titles. Send an application by mail to the Springfield office, or go in person to a local facility.

When you sell, complete the Assignment of Title printed on the front of the certificate. Illinois wants every seller's signature and printed name there, along with the odometer certification, and its seller checklist mentions no notary. Unscrew the plates first, because Illinois plates belong to you. Right after that, the East Moline seller should get the "Notice of Sale" off to the Secretary of State by mail. That is the tear-off stub on the title, or form VSD 703. Once it's sent, the car stops being your problem. No title in hand? A duplicate costs $50, and junk car with no title explains the form.

East Moline sits outside both Illinois emissions-test regions, so no test stands in the way.

Getting an offer

East Moline sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Pickup works at a curb, a back lot or a mechanic's shop. If a city letter already came, read notice to remove a car; Moline is next door.