In a concerted effort to curb the increasing epidemic of car thefts and carjackings, the state of Illinois is rolling out over $11 million in grants to law enforcement agencies. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the hefty sum on Wednesday, earmarking the funds for the acquisition of high-tech crime-fighting equipment such as license plate readers and vehicle tracking devices.
The investment aims to alleviate the fears of Illinoisans, ensuring that the threat of vehicular theft does not loom large over their daily commutes. As Giannoulias put it, "The bottom line is that people shouldn’t have to fear that they’ll be robbed of their vehicle at gunpoint when they get into their car each day," in a statement obtained by Chicago Sun-Times. These grant funds are due to become accessible starting Monday, offering a beacon of hope for car owners and communities alike.
Among the recipients of the grant are the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force unit, the Illinois statewide auto theft task force, and the Chicago Police Department’s major auto theft investigations unit. Agencies such as 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 expressway safety enforcement group will also benefit from this infusion of financial resources.
The grants, sourced from insurance companies who contribute $1 for each vehicle insured, signify a collaborative push against a crime trend that saw Chicago grappling with 1,646 carjackings in 2022, though that number has seen a decrease in 2023. "To prevent crime, you have to have resources," Brendan Kelly with Illinois State Police told ABC7 Chicago. The additional funds are expected to fortify the efforts of law enforcement in implementing preemptive measures and investigative follow-ups related to vehicular crimes.
While the grants represent a significant step toward safer streets, the repercussions of such crimes run deeper than mere statistics. The psychological impact on victims and the potential for violent encounters are aspects that the Secretary of State's initiative seeks to diminish. With this monetary boost, Chicago has experienced a 16.7% decrease in carjackings so far in 2024, as noted by Kevin Bruno of the Chicago Police Department, reflecting a potential turnabout in the battle against auto theft and related violent crimes.
