SPRINGFIELD – Last week, 115th District State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) successfully passed legislation through the Illinois House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee that seeks to cut down on a recent rash of thefts involving catalytic converters from personal and commercial vehicles.
“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. “I am proud to report that a bill I am sponsoring is making its way through the legislative process to address these rising crimes. This is another in a long line of items I am concerned with in regard to the 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.”
HB 4734 prohibits a scrap metal processor or automotive parts recycler from purchasing or receiving a catalytic converter, except from a commercial seller or from the owner of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed. The legislation also establishes record-keeping requirements for the purchase or receipt of a catalytic converter and prohibits processors and recyclers from acquiring a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle and sold independently of that vehicle. Having received unanimous support, HB 4734 moves to the full House for consideration.
“The places that have been most hurt by these theft rings have been schools, daycares, and churches,” Jacobs said. “It is a sad fact that we must address these crimes, as criminals have little regard for the harm they are doing to children and institutions that provide educational and charitable services to children and adults that need help with transportation. I look forward to this legislation clearing the House and Senate and being signed by the Governor.”