Illinois may have several laws on the books aiming to stop catalytic converter thefts, but Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is aiming to make the practice less lucrative.
Jacobs posted to Facebook Feb. 24, sharing a link to his presentation of House Bill 4734. The bill aims to prohibit scrap metal processors and automotive parts recyclers from purchasing or obtaining catalytic converters except for acquisitions from commercial sellers or the owner of a vehicle that has had the catalytic converter removed.
“Today I earned unanimous House support for legislation that aims to cut down on the recent rash of thefts of catalytic converters,” Jacobs wrote in his Facebook post. “This crime is hurting schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations throughout the state.”
The Illinois Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law, highlighting the illegality of selling catalytic converters, outlines the required documentation for a legal sale. Among those needed include the date and place of each purchase, the name and address of the seller with a photocopy of government-issued photo identification, the motor vehicle license number and state of insurance, description of the recyclable metal purchases, photographs of the seller and the materials presented on a scale, and a declaration signed and dated by the seller.
“I, the undersigned, affirm under penalty of law that the property that is subject to this transaction is not to the best of my knowledge stolen property,” the declaration reads.
In Chicago, the problem has become so prevalent that replacement parts are hard to come by, WGN9 reports.
“I have been made aware through various news and police reports and through individual meetings I have had with constituents that theft involving catalytic converters has become a growing problem throughout the State of Illinois,” Jacobs said in a release.
Jacobs said he is concerned with "flagrant abuse of the rule of law by criminals emboldened by anti-police policies that have begun taking effect after the signing of the criminal justice reform legislation last year.”
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