, 1997, 1).
The Secretary of State Police have a website that helps the public understand their organization and purpose. This website lists their primary mission as, “the regulation of businesses involved in the sale of motor vehicles and vehicle parts” (Anonymous, 2003, 1). The site also lists some of their goals as a state agency:
Conduct statewide criminal investigations involving stolen motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and the criminal use of related documents
Provide for the statewide inspection and regulation of motor vehicle dealers, rebuilders, repairers, scrap processors and used part dealers
Conduct statewide criminal investigations involving fraudulent and fictitious drivers licenses and identification cards
Conduct statewide training to all law enforcement agencies concerning the regulation of the automotive industry, vehicle titles, vehicle registrations, vehicle licensing, DUI enforcement, traffic regulation and the promotion of traffic safety
In 1971, the Secretary of State Police began focusing more of its resources on an extensive Auto Theft program. The Auto Theft program remains a primary concern of the department today. Funding for the program is provided by the insurance industry and the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. With this funding, the Secretary of State Police have formed two Auto Theft Task Forces to investigate stolen vehicles and parts. The two forces have the same function, but operate in different regions of the state. The Metro East Task Force is based in St. Clair County and services the surrounding areas. The other, called the Northern Illinois Task Force, protects and serves Winnebago County and the surrounding areas.
The main purpose of the Task Forces is to target and reduce thefts in their respective areas. The Task Forces work with other state and local agencies to recover stolen vehicles and parts from throughout the state. Combined, the ...