Legislation initiatives championed by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias aimed at preventing the theft of catalytic converters and improving road safety were signed into law today by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Sponsored by State Representative Jay Hoffman (113th District-Belleville) and State Senator Michael Hastings (19th District-Frankfort), HB4589 makes it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters.
The law requires recyclable metal dealers to keep a record of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the catalytic converter itself. In addition, the seller of a catalytic converter must now provide a copy of the certificate of title or registration indicating ownership of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed, making it easier for law enforcement to investigate potential crimes.
“Illinoisans should feel more confident that their vehicles are better protected when parking on the street or in parking garages,” Giannoulias said. “This legislation will deter thieves by requiring scrap metal dealers to keep detailed records when purchasing them and give police more tools and resources to determine where the part came from.”
“For too long Illinois residents from Chicago to Metro East have been the targets of the theft of catalytic convertors because the parts have simply been too easy to sell,” Hoffman said. “This legislation ensures that all catalytic converters sales to recyclable metal dealers are conducted by the legitimate owner of the vehicle and its parts.”
“This legislation will serve as a strong disincentive to those considering stealing, selling or buying crucial vehicle parts,” Hastings said. “Illinois families should not have worry about facing the unexpected and unacceptable cost of replacing a catalytic converter stolen from their primary means of transporting their children to school, their groceries from the store and completing other day-to-day tasks.”
Catalytic converter theft is a crime that leaves victims facing hundreds to thousands of dollars in unexpected vehicle repairs. In recent years, the values of platinum, palladium and rhodium, the precious metals found in catalytic converters, has skyrocketed leading to a larger incentive for theft.
The catalytic converter theft spike during the COVID-19 pandemic amounted to a 288% increase from 2020 to 2022, according to Illinois Motor Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council’s 2023 Annual Report. This bill makes it more difficult for recyclable metal dealers to purchase stolen catalytic converters and easier for law enforcement to investigate.
House Bill 5370
HB5370, sponsored by State Representative Jay Hoffman (113th District-Belleville) and State Senator Celina Villanueva (12th District-Chicago) enhances “Scott’s Law,” making Illinois roads safer for all users.
Scott’s Law, also called the “Move Over” law, requires motorists approaching a stopped emergency vehicle to proceed with caution and yield the right of way by moving out of the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle. If that’s not possible – such as if the road only is two lanes – drivers are expected to reduce speed as they pass the scene.
This new legislation will ensure that individuals operating a vehicle yield the right-of-way by making a lane change AND reducing their speed when approaching the scene of an accident, emergency or construction zone.
This requirement to both make a lane change and reduce speed will result in safer road conditions for Illinois emergency responders, construction workers and all Illinois residents that depend on safe roads.
