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IllinoisSB2220104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

SELF-STORAGE LIEN SALE NOTICE

Sponsored By: Robert F. Martwick (Democratic)

Became Law

assignmentsjudiciaryjudiciary - civil

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Vehicles can be towed after 60 days

Beginning January 1, 2025, if a stored motor vehicle, trailer, or watercraft is unpaid or in default for 60 days, the storage owner may have it towed. Once the tow operator takes possession, the storage owner is not liable for any damage. The owner may still pursue other ways to collect unpaid debt.

Clearer notices before storage lien sales

Beginning January 1, 2025, storage owners must send lien notices in person, by verified mail, or by email to your last known address. The notice must list the amount due, due date, facility contact, sale details, and give you at least 14 days from delivery to pay. After that time, the owner must advertise the sale once a week for two weeks in a local newspaper, and the sale cannot occur sooner than 15 days after the first ad. Notices are treated as delivered when mailed with postage prepaid, or when emailed with a delivery receipt; if no email receipt, verified mail counts. These rules give you clearer warning but also make it easier for owners to prove that notice was delivered.

Your rights and costs during storage default

Beginning January 1, 2025, your stored items stay in your custody until a lien sale, unless your rental agreement says otherwise. If the owner over‑locks your unit for nonpayment, rent and other charges still add up. Before any sale, you can redeem your property by paying the lien amount plus reasonable expenses. After a sale, the owner must hold any extra money for you for one year; if you do not claim it in time, the owner keeps it. Once property is sold or removed, the lien on that property ends.

Owners must check titles before selling vehicles

Beginning January 1, 2025, before selling a motor vehicle, trailer, watercraft, or other titled item, storage owners must contact the Secretary of State and other agencies to find titleholders and lienholders. Owners must notify each identified holder of the time and place of the sale. They must notify a security interest holder only if the filing is under the occupant’s name. If owners skip the required searches, they are liable only to valid lienholders who are harmed.

Rules for storage auctions and buyers

Beginning January 1, 2025, lien sales must be held at the storage facility or the nearest suitable place; an online sale on a public site counts as at the facility. If three or more unrelated bidders attend, the sale and its proceeds are treated as commercially reasonable. A buyer who purchases in good faith gets the property free of earlier claims, even if the owner missed a step. These rules make auctions easier to run and safer for buyers, but harder for occupants to challenge later.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly A. Lightford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 187 • No: 1

House vote • 5/23/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 105 • No: 1

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 19 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass Judiciary;

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0139

    8/1/2025Senate

  2. Effective Date January 1, 2026

    8/1/2025Senate

  3. Governor Approved

    8/1/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/20/2025Senate

  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/23/2025Senate

  6. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled

    5/23/2025House

  7. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 105-001-000

    5/23/2025House

  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/23/2025House

  9. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  10. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  11. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    5/6/2025House

  12. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

    5/2/2025House

  13. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dave Vella

    5/2/2025House

  14. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    4/23/2025House

  15. Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 019-000-000

    4/23/2025House

  16. Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    4/17/2025House

  17. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House

  18. First Reading

    4/9/2025House

  19. Chief House Sponsor Rep. Dave Vella

    4/9/2025House

  20. Arrived in House

    4/9/2025House

  21. Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000

    4/9/2025Senate

  22. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  23. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.

    4/8/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

    4/4/2025Senate

  25. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

    4/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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