North Egypt News

Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) recently announced on his website that his bill to make it harder to profit from the theft of catalytic converters has made it through the House of Representatives and will advance to the Senate.

"I sincerely appreciate Rep. (La Shawn) Ford's (D-Chicago) leadership and the bipartisan cooperation he offered to address this problematic rising crime. It's a sad fact, but we must address this issue. Catalytic converter thieves have shown little regard for the harm they are doing to individual vehicle owners and institutions that provide educational and charitable services to children and adults that need help with transportation. This legislative package offers strong deterrents for people thinking they can make a quick buck by stealing catalytic converters and companies that might offer thieves cash for stolen converters. I look forward to this bill passing the Senate and being signed by the Governor," said Jacobs.

Early this year, Jacobs announced that he was sponsoring a bill to stop scrap metal processors and automotive parts buyers from purchasing catalytic converters unless those items were obtained from a commercial seller or the individual who owned the vehicle it came out of.

Jacobs and Ford also sponsored House Bill 107 to create an electronic records keeping system. Recyclable metal dealers in Illinois would enter information into an electronic records system for each purchase of recyclable metal, a catalytic converter or its contents, or recyclable metal containing copper (rather than recyclable metal or recyclable metal containing copper). For individual sellers, the metal dealer must fill out and file a 1099-MISC on behalf of the seller, and requires that cash payments be made for catalytic converter or components valued at $100 or more.

"This is a bipartisan solution that will help law enforcement create a paper trail that can help deter or solve crimes," Ford said. "This bill will help protect innocent car owners who are unfairly being targeted. I appreciate Dr. Jacobs' leadership on this topic, and encourage the Senate to pass this as soon as they can," Ford said.