By: Ashmar Mandou
New legislation, SB 3471, sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (17th District—Chicago) and State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (92nd District—Peoria, will enable victims to replace their license plates and registration stickers at no cost if their vehicle has been stolen was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. SB 3471 allows victims to file for free replacement plates and a sticker beginning Jan. 1, 2025, if they provide a police report or affidavit indicating their original plates were stolen.
“Victims of auto theft face extraordinary obstacles in repairing what has been damaged and lost when their vehicle is taken from them. This law eliminates one of these hurdles, making it easier and more affordable for victims to get back on the road,” said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office drafted the bill. “Waiving these replacement fees is a small but important step in helping victims return to a sense of normalcy.”
When an auto theft occurs, we need to make it as easy as possible for the victim to get back on their feet and back on the road,” Sims said. “By providing replacement license plates and registration stickers at no-cost, we are protecting the pocketbooks of victims and easing one of the worries associated with recovering from this type of crime.
“Many Illinoisans rely on having a plated and registered vehicle to transport their kids to school, pick up groceries and get to work. When their plates or vehicle is stolen, each of these tasks become more complicated,” Gordon-Booth said. “To help Illinoisans recover from the theft of such an essential part of their lives, this legislation will cut down on their costs and headaches.” Under the new law, after reviewing a victim’s request and documentation showing the plates were stolen, the Secretary of State’s office will assign a new plate number and issue the replacements free of charge.
In 2022, the most recent vehicle theft data, there were 38,649 thefts statewide, an increase of more than 10,000 cases compared to the year prior. More than 22,000 of the thefts occurred in Chicago that year, where thefts doubled compared to 2021.
Early this year, the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, which Giannoulias’ office oversees, distributed over $11 million in grants to six law enforcement agencies across the state. Law enforcement agencies can use the awards for salaries and benefits for personnel assigned to vehicle theft prevention units, vehicles, computers, vehicle tracking devices, GPS data, evidence kits, body cameras and drones for aerial vehicle searches.
