Illinois Code § 3

§ 3.

If the identity or location of the owner or other person entitled to possession of the property has not been ascertained within 6 months after the police department or other law enforcement agency obtains such possession, the sheriff, chief of police or other principal official thereof shall effectuate the sale of the property for cash to the highest bidder at a public auction, notice of which (including time, place and a brief description of such property) shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county wherein such official has authority at least 10 days prior to such auction. However, if the sheriff, chief of police, or other principal law enforcement official determines that the interests of the public would best be served thereby, he or she may donate property that is worth less than $100, if the donation is approved by the governing body of which the law enforcement agency is a part, to a charitable organization that is currently registered in the State of Illinois, transfer custody of the property to the government of which his or her law enforcement agency is a branch, or if the property is in the custody of a State law enforcement agency, it may be transferred to the Department of Central Management Services, rather than effectuating the sale of the property by public auction. Property offered but not sold at such public auction may be offered and sold at a subsequent public auction without such notice. (Source: P.A. 97-28, eff. 1-1-12.)