Scrap Yards in Illinois
We list 320 scrap yards in 160 Illinois cities; the most are in Chicago (47), Springfield (10) and Kankakee (7).
Listings carried over from this site's earlier directory (imported May 9, 2026); yards Google lists as permanently closed are left out. How we check listings.
Showing the 100 yards closest to the Illinois center. View all yards by city below.
There are 320 scrap yards on record in Illinois, in 160 different cities; sellers near Chicago, Springfield, and Kankakee have the largest number of buyers to choose from. The state's economy of manufacturing, finance, food processing, and rail logistics shapes what comes through the gate, from construction and demolition metal to industrial offcuts and end-of-life vehicles. 30 of these listings name lead, auto parts, electronics, or precious metals among accepted materials; many listings do not name materials at all, so call ahead if you have something other than common metals. Price pages on this site show a daily US average estimate per grade. Illinois yards set their own rates around that figure based on volume, prep, and freight, so treat it as a baseline and confirm by phone. Use the city list below to find a yard near you, check the hours before you drive, and carry a photo ID, since yards record every sale and state law often requires it.
Scrap metal laws in Illinois
Illinois's Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law (815 ILCS 325) covers dealers buying copper, brass, aluminum and catalytic converters. It does not apply in Chicago (municipalities of 1,000,000 or more), which has its own ordinance, or in towns with a State Police-certified local ordinance.
You'll need a valid driver's license or other government photo ID; the dealer records your name and address from it, the vehicle you delivered in, and a description of the metal, including weight and whether it is bars, cable, wire, tubing or scrap. The dealer photographs or videos you and the material on the scale, and you sign a statement affirming "under penalty of law" that the property is not, to your knowledge, stolen. Purchase records are kept three years, photographs three months and video one month, and are open to inspection by police and utility representatives.
It is a violation for anyone to possess, buy or sell property clearly marked as belonging to someone else, government, utility or railroad property such as guard rails, manhole covers, transformers and signs, cemetery plaques or ornaments, or a detached catalytic converter or its contents unless the seller is a licensed automotive parts recycler or scrap processor. Consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.
Sources: 815 ILCS 325/2, 325/3, 325/4.1, 325/5, 325/7 — www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=081503250… ; www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=081503250… ; www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=081503250…
Informational summary of state statute, not legal advice. Laws change; check the cited sources or a lawyer before relying on this.
Scrap prices in Illinois
National averages updated Nov 10, 2026; each page lists Illinois yards that buy it.
Scrap yards in Illinois: common questions
How many scrap yards are in Illinois?
We list 320 scrap yards in 160 Illinois cities. The cities with the most are Chicago (47), Springfield (10) and Kankakee (7).
How much is scrap copper worth in Illinois today?
Our US average estimate for Bare Bright Copper is $5.54/lb (updated Nov 10, 2026). We do not track Illinois-specific prices: each yard sets its own rate, so call ahead before you load up.
Are there scrap metal laws in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois has rules for scrap metal sales; this page summarizes them with links to the statute in the "Scrap metal laws in Illinois" section. It is not legal advice.