July 23, 2024 – Legislation aimed at preventing the theft of catalytic converters has been signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
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,” Secretary of State Alexi 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.”
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.
