Where the village sits
The Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal both run along Willow Springs, with the Palos Forest Preserves on the other side. The village dates to 1892 and takes its name from springs near the river. Nearly all of it is in Cook County, with a small DuPage County section, and we serve both. Archer Avenue (IL-171) crosses La Grange Road here, and the Metra Heritage Corridor has a Willow Springs station.
Why seven days matters
The village’s abandoned-vehicle chapter casts a wider net than most. After seven days without moving, a vehicle is abandoned if any single condition fits: it’s broken down and can’t run, it has no current plates, it sits on the public right-of-way, or it’s on private property but not on the driveway or a paved area. People get caught by that last one. A healthy car left on the side lawn for a week meets the test.
Before towing, the village attaches a notice to the window and mails both certified and first-class letters. A tow can’t take place until seven days after notice, unless the owner requests a hearing.
Street rules, stickers and for-sale signs
No one may park on a village street from 2 to 6 a.m. Following a 2-inch snowfall, the streets must stay free of parked cars for 12 hours. A car with a “for sale” sign can’t sit on a street, alley or right-of-way. At home, a resident may display one car, and no more than two may be offered for sale from a residence in a calendar year.
Any vehicle kept in the village needs a village sticker by June 30, leased and borrowed cars included, and the fee doubles on July 1. The village also notes that a sticker does not give you the right to park on the street.
Pickup, papers and what it’s worth
We tow free from the driveway, garage or lawn, and you’re paid at pickup. To see what shapes an offer, read our guide to what a junk car is worth. If the title is missing, tell us which papers you hold; on the call we explain how Illinois treats them in a scrap sale.
Close by, we buy cars in Hodgkins, Justice and Burr Ridge. The service area overview lists the rest.
Selling a car in Willow Springs: common questions
Is my car 'abandoned' if it's parked on the grass in Willow Springs?
It can be. Under 11-7-1, a car that stays on private land off the driveway or paving for a week or longer is abandoned, even if it runs and is plated. Put it on pavement or sell it before the week is up.
Does a junk car in Willow Springs still need a village sticker?
A car kept in the village needs a village sticker, leased, borrowed and company cars included. The fee rises after the June 30 deadline, so selling a dead car before summer spares you a sticker for something you will never drive.