Selling a junk or dead car in Skokie

Two tests in Section 42-40

The village writes two definitions, and a car can meet either one:

• Abandoned: a vehicle "in a state of disrepair rendering the vehicle incapable of being driven in its condition," or one left unmoved for 7 days in a row that looks deserted.
• Inoperable: a vehicle that for 14 days has had "the engine, wheels, or other parts" removed, or has been damaged so it cannot move "under its own motor power."

Leaving a vehicle, or any part of one, on a Skokie street or public property is unlawful and "declared a nuisance." Leaving one on private land is unlawful too, "except on property of the owner or bailee" of that vehicle.

When the car is on someone else's lot

When a Skokie car sits on another person's private land, it "may be authorized for removal with the written consent of the property owner and only after 14 days have expired." Skokie exempts three: cars at a junking or wrecking business, cars stored indoors when idle, and running historic vehicles over 25 years old.

Your own yard is not a free pass

Other chapters reach cars at home. The zoning section on yard parking, 118-217, calls a car inoperable if it is "wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled" or cannot run on a street under its own power. It also says vehicles that may not be parked in the open on a lot "must be parked within a garage" unless the Zoning Board of Appeals grants a variation. Section 22-413, a list of owner duties in the building chapter, puts it in one line: "No vehicles that are inoperable shall be permitted to be stored in the open."

If Skokie police tow it

Under Section 106-95, Skokie police look up the owner in state or village registration records and send a letter saying the car was removed, the reason, and where it's held. Under 106-146, the village mails a notice within five business days after a seizure and impoundment, and that notice explains the right to an administrative hearing. Before an abandoned or inoperable car leaves police custody, the owner pays "all towing and storage charges" first. Towed or impounded covers what to do next.

Illinois title and plates

Titles here come from Illinois itself, not Cook County. Skokie owners can request these from the Secretary of State in Springfield by mail, or visit a facility. Selling just means signing and dating the Assignment of Title on the certificate. Sellers have no other form to fill out, and the state does not call for a notary. Pull your plates before the car goes. They are yours to keep, and the buyer isn't allowed to drive on them. After that, a Skokie seller sends the Secretary of State one of two things soon: VSD 703 or the Notice of Sale part of the title. Filing it means you're no longer responsible for the car, but the car isn't the buyer's yet. Can't find the title? A duplicate costs $50 on form VSD 190.

Near Skokie

Evanston is 2.5 miles away and Morton Grove 2.6, measured in a straight line. Wilmette and Niles are both under 4 miles. Statewide rules are on the Illinois page.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. The offer form handles the details. Around Skokie our truck can reach a back yard, a garage, or the lot behind your building.