Junk title
A state document showing a vehicle is junk, to be used only for parts or scrap and never titled again.
A junk title, called a junking certificate or junk certificate in some states, records that a vehicle has been declared junk. It lets the holder possess, move or transfer the vehicle for dismantling or scrap, but the car cannot be registered for the road again.
If you sell a car to a junkyard, the yard often handles this paperwork after the sale. Ask whether the buyer will apply for the junk document and report the vehicle, so the car is not left in your name.
In Illinois, a person who possesses a junk vehicle must surrender the title or other ownership document to the Secretary of State within 15 days and apply for a junking certificate. Once one is issued, a certificate of title cannot be issued for that vehicle again.1
References
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Illinois General Assembly, 625 ILCS 5/3-117.1, “When junking certificates or salvage certificates must be obtained”, https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K3-117.1.htm ↩