(625 ILCS 5/5-100-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 5-100-1)
Sec. 5-100-1.
Findings and Purpose.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) crimes involving the theft of vehicles and their parts have risen
steadily over the past years, with a resulting loss of millions of dollars
to the residents of this State; (2) essential to the criminal enterprise
of vehicle theft operations is the ability of thieves to transfer
or sell stolen vehicles or their parts through legitimate commercial
channels, making them available for sale to the automotive industry;
(3) vehicle dealers, scrap processors, automotive
parts recyclers, repairers and rebuilders who comprise the vast majority
of the persons engaged in the automotive business in this State are
frequently exposed to pressures and influences from motor vehicle
thieves; (4) elements of organized crime
are constantly attempting to influence businessmen engaged in the sale
and repair of motor vehicles so as to further their own criminal interests;
and (5) close and strict government regulation of vehicle dealers, scrap
processors, automotive parts recyclers,
repairers and rebuilders will provide a system of tracking the flow of
vehicles and their essential parts and therefore significantly reduce the
numbers of vehicle-related thefts in this State. It is, therefore, the
intent of the General Assembly to establish a system of mandatory licensing
and record keeping which will prevent or reduce the transfer or sale of
stolen vehicles or their parts within this State.
It further is the intent of the General Assembly that government
agencies work in cooperation with vehicle dealers, scrap processors,
automotive parts recyclers, repairers and rebuilders, utilizing their
professional expertise in the development and execution of programs and
strategies to reduce vehicle-related crime and maximize consumer
protection while ensuring a healthy business climate for the legitimate
automotive industry.
(Source: P.A. 85-572.)
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