Quincy abandoned-car rules and selling yours

Abandoned or derelict

Chapter 79 uses two labels.

• Abandoned: a vehicle "in a state of disrepair, partially dismantled, wrecked, or otherwise inoperable," or one unmoved and unused for seven consecutive days "and is apparently deserted." Boats, trailers and mobile homes are covered too.
• Derelict: an "inoperable currently unregistered, discarded motor vehicle" that has lost its worth as property, or one left unattended without good reason.

Neither label reaches a Quincy car garaged indoors, held by a lawful business that needs it, or parked in a proper storage yard.

The seven-day notice

Under Section 79.05, police begin by searching Secretary of State records for the owner. In Quincy, the owner is told the car "will be towed, impounded and disposed of" unless it is "removed within seven days from the date of this notice." When no owner turns up, the notice goes on the car in plain sight and the landowner is told as well.

You can push back. To fight a Quincy notice, write to the Chief of Police within those seven days and explain why the finding should be reviewed. Otherwise the tow may follow once seven days have passed since the notice went out.

Mobile home parks run on a different count. Section 119.29 gives a park owner ten days after written notice to clear nuisances, and "inoperable or unlicensed vehicles" are on that list.

Snow and impound

Section 91.150 bars parking on certain listed streets after "an accumulation of three or more inches of snow." The ban lasts 24 hours, or until the Mayor or the Director of Central Services ends the emergency. A car left on a street in violation can be impounded under Section 91.152, and the owner can reclaim it only by covering the tow, the pound and any fines. See towed or impounded.

Title and plates from Adams County

Titles are not handled at the Adams County courthouse. The Illinois Secretary of State issues them, either at its facilities around the state or by mail to Springfield, 92.5 miles from Quincy in a straight line. In Quincy, the seller signs the Assignment of Title, dates it, prints a name below, writes in the odometer number, and gives the title to the buyer. Include a dated bill of sale that names the price. The state's seller instructions do not require a notary. The plates are yours to take home. Mail the Notice of Sale, from the bottom strip of the title or on a VSD 703, to Springfield right after the sale. A lost title costs $50 to replace. More in after you sell.

Quincy's neighbors

Quincy sits a long way from every other town on our list. Galesburg is 87.8 miles off, Springfield 92.5, Alton 96.7 and Pekin 102.4. For the statewide rules, see Illinois.

Getting an offer

Reach us at (877) 421-6008 or through the form. The offer form handles the details. Our trucks reach garages near the Mississippi, farm lots in Adams County, and Quincy curbs.