New law extends the motor vehicle theft prevention act

 

From Illinois Business Journal news services

SPRINGFIELD – A law designed to fight motor vehicle theft, set to expire in January, will be continued for four more years.

Legislation introduced by state Sen. Pat McGuire, D-Crest Hill, was signed into law over the summer.

The Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act was due to sunset in January 2016. Originally introduced in 2012, the intention of the act was to create a statewide council that assessed the scope of motor vehicle theft, and developed and implemented a plan to curb motor vehicle theft.

“I think the intention of the original council was a good one, but it was clear their work was not entirely finished,” McGuire said recently. “I hope that with the extension of this council, we can start effecting serious change when it comes to motor vehicle theft.”

The original act also created the motor vehicle theft prevention trust fund which not only paid costs incurred by the council, but additionally funds programs aimed at decreasing the amount of motor vehicle theft. Insurers providing private motor vehicle insurance pay into the fund.

The law makes the sunset date of the original act to Jan. 1, 2020.