Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Illinois’ very extensive catalytic converter theft laws are clearly not working on their own

Posted in:

Illinois

* From Illinois’ Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law…

It is a violation of this Act for any person to sell or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, any of the following: […]

4) any catalytic converter not attached to a motor vehicle at the time of the transaction unless the seller is licensed as an automotive parts recycler or scrap processor.

(b) This Section shall not apply when the seller produces written documentation reasonably demonstrating that the seller is the owner of the recyclable metal material or is authorized to sell the material on behalf of the owner. The recyclable metal dealer shall copy any such documentation and maintain it along with the purchase record required by Section 3 of this Act.

* Check out the required documentation…

1. The name and address of the recyclable metal dealer;
2. The date and place of each purchase;
3. The name and address of the person or persons from whom the recyclable metal was purchased, which shall be verified from a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification. The recyclable metal dealer shall make and record a photocopy or electronic scan of the driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification. If the person delivering the recyclable metal does not have a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification, the recyclable metal dealer shall not complete the transaction;
4. The motor vehicle license number and state of issuance of the motor vehicle license number of the vehicle or conveyance on which the recyclable metal was delivered to the recyclable metal dealer;
5. A description of the recyclable metal purchased, including the weight and whether it consists of bars, cable, ingots, rods, tubing, wire, wire scraps, clamps, connectors, other appurtenances, or some combination thereof;
6. Photographs or video, or both, of the seller and of the materials as presented on the scale; and
7. A declaration signed and dated by the person or persons from whom the recyclable metal was purchased which states the following:

“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.”.

A copy of the recorded information shall be kept in an electronic record-keeping system by the recyclable metal dealer. Purchase records shall be retained for a period of 3 years. Photographs shall be retained for a period of 3 months and video recordings shall be retained for a period of one month. The electronic record-keeping system shall be made available for inspection by any law enforcement official or the representatives of common carriers and persons, firms, corporations or municipal corporations engaged in either the generation, transmission or distribution of electric energy or engaged in telephone, telegraph or other communications, at any time.

Whew, that’s a lot.

* Penalties…

Sec. 8. Penalty. Any recyclable metal dealer or other person who knowingly fails to comply with this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class 4 felony for the second or subsequent offense. Each day that any recyclable metal dealer so fails to comply shall constitute a separate offense.

Sec. 9. Injunctions. The Illinois Attorney General or the State’s Attorney for the county in which the recyclable metal dealer is located may initiate an appropriate action in the circuit court of the county in which a recyclable metal dealer is located to prevent the unlawful operation of a recyclable metal dealer, or to restrain, correct, or abate a violation of this Act, or to prevent any illegal act or conduct by the recyclable metal dealer.

* So, keep all that in mind when reading this Kankakee Daily Journal editorial…

A catalytic converter is a device that looks like a small muffler within the exhaust system. It’s designed to convert the engine’s hazardous exhaust into less harmful gases.

To accomplish this, manufacturers use platinum, palladium and rhodium. The value of these precious metals has skyrocketed in recent years. On Nov. 18, the prices for these metals were listed as $1,049, $2,080 and $13,300, respectively. That’s per troy ounce. (It takes 1.09 regular ounces to make a troy ounce, which is the measurement standard for many precious metals.)

In 2017, the value of rhodium was $779.23 per troy ounce.

With gold in their eyes and power tools in their hands, thieves make quick work of removing catalytic converters from the underbelly of gas-powered vehicles. That’s Part 1 of the problem. Part 2 is how easily they can turn these car parts into cold, hard cash with no questions asked.

The converters are very easy to steal and the task can take less than two minutes. Selling them isn’t as easy, because no matter what the Daily Journal claims, you can’t take them to just any metal recycling center. You have to know somebody, or know somebody who does.

The illicit buyers are either transporting the stolen goods out of state or are processing the valuable materials themselves or in a regional location and then reselling those materials on the legit market. And if that’s the case, permanently marking your catalytic converter likely won’t deter theft.

* A small sampling of recent headlines from a quick Google News search…

* Police: Multiple catalytic converter thefts reported in Near North Side

* Car Burglaries, Catalytic Converter Thefts Surge In Wheaton

* Peoria auto shop sees uptick in catalytic converter theft

* 8 Catalytic Converters Stolen In 1 Night in Oak Lawn

* Catalytic Converter Crooks Hit Mount Greenwood

* Lakeview shooting: Licensed carrier kills would-be catalytic converter thief in shootout, CPD says

* It’s also a national issue…

(F)or example, in California. As CBS 2’s Jim Williams reported, State Farm Insurance said its customers’ claims for catalytic converter thefts jumped 175% between June of 2020 and June of 2021. Cities like Miami, Phildelphia, Denver and Pittsburgh report seeing the same trend.

The state could try regulating the sale of rhodium, but I doubt that’ll work, either.

The feds need to jump in here now, but so do the automakers. This is beyond ridiculous.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:19 pm

Comments

Lakeview shooting. We’re going to see more of this.

Comment by Blue Dog Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:29 pm
Speed up the replacement of gas guzzlers with electric vehicles.

Comment by Shield Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:35 pm
“Speed up the replacement of gas guzzlers with electric vehicles”

Thieves are opportunistic and E-V’s are next …

“electric cables and EV batteries will soon be at risk. It comes as global demand for parts inside the cars has soared in recent months, sparking interest from criminals”

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:56 pm
had two stolen from condo building parking lot.. got them on cameras.. were driving stolen cars. they think of everything lol

Comment by people Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:59 pm
A large part of the problem is 11 states do not regulate the selling of detached catalytic converters to scrap yards. In the Midwest, those states include Wisconsin and Kansas. So while the criminal is unable to sell their stolen parts in Illinois, they can easily drive north to Wisconsin and sell them without issue. A few other states lacking regulations include Massachusetts and New York.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has a convenient guide outlining every states scrap metal laws. https://www.isri.org/docs/default-source/state-program/State-Metals-Theft-Statutes.pdf

Comment by Cat Attack Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:59 pm
I read that I should have the VIN etched onto the cat converter. that should be done by the manufacturer, and if replaced, done when it is replaced.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 1:02 pm
Looking at the legislation, it appears that there should have been a Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force established by the Sec of State’s office. Quick google and search of SOS site and I could not find any information on its meetings, reports, or appointments. May be a good time to start this up.

Comment by prairiestatelover Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 1:25 pm
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:56 pm:

How easy is it to move a 1,000 pound item?

Comment by Shield Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 1:47 pm
Donnie elgin always has a reason to do nothing. He probably thinks we should still be running leaded gas.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 2:19 pm
Really wish there was more that could be done, and soon; the Lakeview shooting was 2 blocks from my home.

Comment by Keith Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 2:28 pm
@- Shield - Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 1:47 pm:

- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 12:56 pm:

===How easy is it to move a 1,000 pound item?===

They would more likely try to steal the whole car.

The car could be programmed to lock them in, run

30 seconds and stop, notify police and the owner.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Wonder if this concept from Evanston will work.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/11/20/catalytic-converter-theft-evanston-police-department/

== How easy is it to move a 1,000 pound item? ==

They weigh less than 10 Kg

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 3:00 pm
- OneMan - Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 3:00 pm:

Read for comprehension. What electric car battery weighs 22 pounds?

Comment by Shield Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 4:48 pm
This is sadly a nearly daily occurrence in my neighborhood (West Town, Chicago) and those right around me. I’m a member of several FB Community Forums, and the reports on this are really staggering. As Rich noted, it takes very little time - the thieves get the car up on a jack, put the power saw to work and in about two minutes they have it. And another issue is the after effects. I’ve heard from several folks who have had this happen to them that following the incident, their car “just isn’t right.” Issues with the car starting, problems with performance, etc. And unfortunately, I don’t see any stop to it soon.

Comment by Just a guy Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 5:21 pm
Do electric vehicles use catalytic converter or platinum, palladium and rhodium? Will EVs be safer from thieves?

Comment by M Monday, Nov 22, 21 @ 7:17 pm
Stealing a catalytic converter is stealing, right?

720 ILCS 5/16-1(b)(4) all but about settles this, doesn’t it?

“Theft of property from the person not exceeding $500 or theft of property exceeding $500 and not exceeding $10,000 in value, is a Class 3 felony.”

Comment by Jack Kemp Tuesday, Nov 23, 21 @ 8:08 am