Except as to any sale had by virtue of a judgment of foreclosure in accordance with Article XV of this Act, whenever any real estate has been or is sold at a judicial or judgment sale and such real estate is then subject to a lien or claim for lien in favor of the People of the State of Illinois, which is junior and inferior to the lien so enforced or foreclosed by or through that sale, the right of the State to redeem by virtue of its lien from that sale or from the lien so foreclosed or enforced ceases and terminates at the end of 12 months from the date upon which it is filed for record in the Office of the recorder for the County in which the lands so sold are situated, if such lands are unregistered, or in the Office of the Registrar of Titles for such County, if such lands are registered, a certified copy of the original or duplicate recorded or registered certificate of such sale, such certified copy being endorsed by the State’s Attorney of such County, or his or her assistant, showing service of a copy of such certificate upon him or her, and upon such service such officer shall make such endorsement. Service may be made by United States registered or certified mail.