When an applicant for a salvage certificate or junking certificate under this Chapter presents to the Secretary of State proof that he has purchased or acquired a vehicle at a public sale as authorized by this Chapter and such fact is certified to by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the public sale of a vehicle, the Secretary of State shall issue a salvage certificate or junking certificate for the vehicle upon receipt of the statutory fee and a properly executed application for a salvage certificate or junking certificate. The salvage certificate or junking certificate issued by the Secretary of State under this Section shall be free of any lien that existed against the vehicle prior to the time the vehicle was acquired by the applicant under this Chapter.
625 ILCS 5/4-212