South West Illinois News

Rep. Paul Jacobs's (R-Carbondale) legislation to combat the rise in catalytic converter thefts has recently passed the House.

“I sincerely appreciate Rep. (La Shawn) Ford’s (D-Chicago) leadership and the bipartisan cooperation he offered to address this problematic rising crime,” Jacobs said. “It’s a sad fact, but we must address this issue. Catalytic converter thieves have shown little regard for the harm they are doing to individual vehicle owners and institutions that provide educational and charitable services to children and adults that need help with transportation. This legislative package offers strong deterrents for people thinking they can make a quick buck by stealing catalytic converters and companies that might offer thieves cash for stolen converters.”

Peoria Police Department spokesperson Semone Doughton told ABC that his department received 101 stolen catalytic converter reports in his city last year.

Early this year, Jacobs announced that was sponsoring House Bill 4734 to stop scrap metal processors and automotive parts buyers, from purchasing catalytic converters, unless those items were obtained from a commercial seller or the individual who owned the vehicle it came out of.

Jacobs and Ford also sponsored a bill, House Bill 107, to create an electronic records keeping system. Recyclable metal dealers in Illinois must enter information into an electronic records system for each purchase of recyclable metal, a catalytic converter or its contents, or recyclable metal containing copper (rather than recyclable metal or recyclable metal containing copper).

For individual sellers, the metal dealer must fill out and file a 1099-MISC on behalf of the seller and requires that cash payments be made for catalytic converters or components valued at $100 or more.

“This is a bipartisan solution that will help law enforcement create a paper trail that can help deter or solve crimes,” Ford said. “This bill will help protect innocent car owners who are unfairly being targeted. I appreciate Dr. Jacobs’ leadership on this topic, and encourage the Senate to pass this as soon as they can.”