SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Peoria-area is receiving funding to try and combat carjackings and vehicle thefts.
The Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Task Force is receiving $2,150,700 in grant money from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office from the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. The funding comes from an annual $1 assessment on automobile insurance policies.
In total, $21,545,500 is being given out to groups in the state. The Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force is receiving $3,381,759.
Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows vehicle thefts in Illinois increased from 28,557 in 2021 to 40,505 in 2022.
“There is no single solution, but these grants give law enforcement needed financial resources, which will provide a greater sense of focus and effort to recover stolen vehicles and prevent carjackings that have been occurring all too frequently throughout our state,” Giannoulias said.
