Selling a dead or junk car in Morton Grove

The village's notice comes by mail

Section 5-7-5 says abandoned or inoperable cars "may be towed pursuant to the procedures as set forth in section 5-7-6." Hazardous and unlawful vehicles can be towed at once, without notice. For a dead car, the procedure runs like this:

1. The letter. The village sends written notice by regular U.S. mail at least seven days ahead of a tow. It goes to the address on "the most current registration list of the secretary of state." So if you moved without updating it, the letter ends up at your old place.
2. The sticker. On a public street, a sticker with "the earliest date upon which the tow may take place" and the police phone number can be put on the car.
3. Your seven days. For a car on private property, you have seven days after the mailing date to ask for a pre-tow hearing "in writing." If you miss that, hearing rights "shall be deemed waived."
4. The last 24 hours. If a hearing officer approves the tow, you can still avoid it by moving the car to a lawful spot "within twenty-four (24) hours," or whatever time the officer sets.

Towing and storage costs fall on the owner. After the hearing decision, or after the window to ask for one closes, Section 5-7-8 lets the police department authorize the car to be "sold, junked or salvaged" under the Illinois Vehicle Code. Got a notice on the car or in your mailbox? See notice to remove a car.

On public streets, the village also counts a car abandoned when it "has not been moved for a period of at least seven (7) days" and appears to have been left. So does a car whose plates or VIN have been removed and whose owner cannot be found.

Even and odd days in a snow emergency

When the Village President declares a snow emergency, Section 5-12-1 limits parking to one side of the street. Even-numbered sides are open on even-numbered days, starting that morning and running into the next. A dead car can't be moved to the other side, so take it off the street before snow comes.

Illinois paperwork, start to finish

Morton Grove titles skip Cook County. Morton Grove drivers get them from the Secretary of State, either in person at one of its facilities or by mail to Springfield. In Morton Grove, the seller fills in and signs the "Assignment of Title" on the certificate. Illinois has no extra form for sellers, and a notary is not one of the state's steps. Keep the plates, since driving on someone else's plates is illegal for the buyer. Soon after a Morton Grove car sells, the seller sends the "Notice of Sale" by mail to the Secretary of State. In Morton Grove, that's the stub torn from the bottom of the title, or else form VSD 703. A Morton Grove seller then writes a bill of sale naming the buyer, their address, the price and the date.

An unclaimed towed Morton Grove car 7 model years old or newer can be sold at public auction under state law 30 days after notice. Bidding at a Morton Grove tow auction is open only to the tow operator and licensed recyclers, rebuilders or scrap processors. Selling the car yourself before that point keeps the decision in your hands.

Towns next door

In straight lines, Niles is 1.5 miles away, Skokie 2.6 and Park Ridge 3.5, with Wilmette at 3.9: Niles, Skokie, Park Ridge, Wilmette. State rules are on Illinois.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Morton Grove? Call (877) 421-6008 or start the offer form. If the village's letter gives a tow date, include it. The truck can pull up to a driveway, an alley garage or the curb.