Six law enforcement agencies will receive more than $11 million in federal grants to prevent carjacking and auto thefts.
The grants announced on Wednesday will be used to purchase equipment such as license plate readers and vehicle tracking devices.
“Ultimately, people shouldn’t have to fear having their car stolen at gunpoint when they get in their car every day,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said at a press conference. “Together, we will make not only our roads safer, but communities, neighborhoods and business districts as well.”
Grants were awarded to the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force and the Chicago Police Department’s Major Auto Theft Investigations Unit.
Other law enforcement agencies receiving grants include the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department’s Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, the Peoria Police Department’s Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Task Force and the Illinois State Police’s Expressway Safety Enforcement Group.
The grants are funded by insurance companies that pay $1 to the Secretary of State’s office for each vehicle insured. The six agencies can access the grants until July 1.
According to Chicago police, there were 1,646 car thefts in Chicago in 2022 and 1,297 in 2023.
The Chicago Police Department offers anti-auto theft programs for residents through its Office of Community Policing and the Vehicular Hijacking Task Force. The offices provide services such as vehicle tracking and recovery and conducting vehicle safety days.
