CHICAGO HEIGHTS – Legislation designed to provide law enforcement with additional resources to combat carjackings was signed into law thanks to the efforts of State Senator Patrick Joyce.

According to a January report from CNN, cities around the country have seen an increase in the rate of carjackings. More than 1,800 carjackings were reported in Chicago last year, according to data released by police departments to CNN.

“The number of carjackings in our state is alarming,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Innocent people are affected by this crime on a daily basis and I’m glad to see these measures signed into law to address the issues head on.”

House Bill 601 modernizes the definition of the possession of burglary tools offense to include devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key and devices designed to capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob. Car thieves have exploited new technology that can pick up the RFID signal from a key fob at a distance, allowing a victim’s vehicle to be unlocked or stolen even while the fob remains in their home. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Illinois saw a 13% increase in car thefts from 2019-2020.

Read more: Joyce backs new laws to protect people from carjackings

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will now have an added incentive to purchase vehicles manufactured in-state thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce signed this month. 

“The new law supports vehicles manufactured right here in Illinois,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I have an Illinois first mentality when it comes to supporting new legislation.”

Illinoisans purchasing cars and passenger trucks manufactured in-state will have the opportunity to apply for a $25 rebate on the title under Senate Bill 3609. Consumers would have one year from the month the vehicle was manufactured to apply for the rebate.

“This is good for our economy, it encourages the purchase of goods manufactured here in Illinois,” said Joyce. 

The legislation will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include motorcycles in the discussion of electric transportation—specifically to incentivize the purchase and use of electric motorcycles—was signed into law this month.

“As we start to see more and more electric vehicles on the road, we need to make sure that electric motorcycles get the same support,” said Joyce (D-Essex).

When the Clean Energy Jobs Act passed in 2021 with electric vehicle language that specifically excluded motorcycles, ABATE of Illinois made it a priority to remedy the issue. The changes in Senate Bill 2940 ensure electric motorcycles are considered when planning infrastructure and provides an incentive of $1,500 towards the purchase of an electric motorcycle.

“This new law puts motorcycles on par with existing incentives for electric vehicles,” said Joyce.

The legislation is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure reducing the registration fee for older Illinoisans was signed into law this month under legislation supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“This new law is especially helpful to those on fixed incomes,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are all facing the burden from rising prices and inflation, it’s good to provide relief where we can.”

The measure would reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

Under the act, an individual qualifies if they are 65 years of age or older or if a single person’s income is less than $33,562 a year and less than $44,533 for a couple.

The legislation is effective Jan. 1, 2023.