Grant money issued to Illinois law enforcement agencies to combat carjackings

(The Center Square) – With carjackings and vehicle thefts on the rise in Chicago and other parts of Illinois, some law enforcement agencies have been awarded grant money to combat the problem.

The number of carjackings has increased nationwide, but Chicago is reporting more incidents than any other city in the country.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced more than $11 million in new grants to police agencies around Illinois.

“It’s horrible and unacceptable that so many of us can become victims of these crimes,” Giannoulias said during a Wednesday news conference. “No one should have to live in fear of having their car stolen at gunpoint, or returning to their vehicle only to find it gone.”

The Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council distributes the grants. To fund the grants, the insurance industry provides $1 for every passenger vehicle it insures to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the grant money will allow police to purchase the technology needed to cut down on vehicle crimes.

“To prevent crime you have to have resources,” said Kelly. “This grant will allow the Illinois State Police to focus additional resources on prevention and investigative follow-up for vehicular thefts, hijackings and other related violent crimes.”

Kelly said similar efforts in the Chicago area are paying off. ISP is using $10 million in grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State aimed at enhancing law enforcement capabilities. The funds contribute to aerial surveillance, with helicopters patrolling Chicago-area expressways to monitor and track stolen vehicles.

The Secretary of State’s Office reports from 2019 to 2022, the Council issued $24 million in grants and recovered $92 million worth of stolen vehicles, meaning the return on investment for stolen vehicle recovery is $4 for every $1 spent on grant funding.