(625 ILCS 5/4-104) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-104)

Sec. 4-104. Offenses relating to possession of titles and registration.

(a) It is a violation of this Chapter for:

1. A person to possess without authority any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate of title, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, or temporary registration permit, whether blank or otherwise;

2. A person to possess any manufacturer's certificate of origin, salvage certificate, junking certificate, certificate of title, or display certificate without complete assignment;

3. A person to possess any manufacturer's statement of origin, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate or certificate of title, temporary registration permit, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker knowing it to have been stolen, converted, altered, forged, or counterfeited;

4. A person to display or affix to a vehicle any certificate of title, manufacturer's statement of origin, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, temporary registration permit, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker not authorized by law for use on such vehicle;

5. A person to permit another, not entitled thereto, to use or have possession of any manufacturer's statement of origin, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate or certificate of title, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, temporary registration permit, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker;

6. A person to fail to mail or deliver to the proper person, within a reasonable period of time after receipt from the Secretary of State, any certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, registration card, temporary registration permit, license plate or digital license plate, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker. If a person mails or delivers reasonable notice to the proper person after receipt from the Secretary of State, a presumption of delivery within a reasonable period of time shall exist; provided, however, the delivery is made, either by mail or otherwise, within 20 days from the date of receipt from the Secretary of State.

(b) Sentence:

1. A person convicted of a violation of subsection 1 or 2 of paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

2. A person convicted of a violation of subsection 3 of paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

3. A person convicted of a violation of either subsection 4 or 5 of paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and upon a second or subsequent conviction of such a violation is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

4. A person convicted of a violation of subsection 6 of paragraph (a) of this Section is guilty of a petty offense.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-105) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-105)

Sec. 4-105. Offenses relating to disposition of titles and registration.

(a) It is a violation of this Chapter for:

1. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, registration card, or temporary registration permit;

2. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit an assignment of any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate or junking certificate;

3. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit a release of a security interest on any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate or junking certificate;

4. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit an application for any certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, registration card, temporary registration permit or license plate;

5. a person to use a false or fictitious name or address or altered, forged, counterfeited or stolen manufacturer's identification number, or make a material false statement, or fail to disclose a security interest, or conceal any other material fact on any application for any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, junking certificate, salvage certificate, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, temporary registration permit, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker, or commit a fraud in connection with any application under this Act;

6. an unauthorized person to have in his possession a blank Illinois certificate of title paper;

7. a person to surrender or cause to be surrendered any certificate of title, salvage or junking certificate in exchange for a certificate of title or other title document from any other state or foreign jurisdiction for the purpose of changing or deleting an "S.V." or "REBUILT" notation, odometer reading, or any other information contained on such Illinois certificate.

(b) Sentence. A person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-105.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-105.1)

Sec. 4-105.1. Offenses relating to deletion or falsification of information on title document.

(a) It is a violation of this Code for a person to knowingly, with the intent to defraud, surrender or cause to be surrendered any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, or other title document, in exchange for a certificate of title or other title document of this State or of any other State or foreign jurisdiction which results in or attempts to result in:

1. The deletion of the words "S.V.", "REBUILT" or similar notation.

2. The falsification of an odometer reading; or

3. The alteration or deletion of any other information required to be contained on such certificate of title or any other title document of any State or foreign jurisdiction.

(b) Presumptions. A title surrendered to another jurisdiction that is subsequently submitted to any person, corporation, or other legal entity, residing or doing business within Illinois, the following presumption shall apply; if the title document fails to contain all of the previous information required by Illinois law, it shall be presumed to have been done so knowingly.

It shall be a rebuttable presumption that any title document surrendered or submitted with a false odometer reading shall be presumed to have been done so knowingly.

(c) Sentence. A person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person convicted of violating this Section a second or subsequent time shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.

(Source: P.A. 91-571, eff. 1-1-00.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-105.5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-105.5)

Sec. 4-105.5. Attempt. As defined in Section 8-4 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-106) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-106)

Sec. 4-106. Principals.

It shall be a violation of the provisions of this Chapter for a person, whether present or absent, to aid, abet, induce, procure or cause the commission of an act which, if done directly by him, would constitute a violation of the provisions of this Chapter.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-107)

Sec. 4-107. Stolen, converted, recovered and unclaimed vehicles.

(a) Every Sheriff, Superintendent of police, Chief of police or other police officer in command of any Police department in any City, Village or Town of the State, shall, by the fastest means of communications available to his law enforcement agency, immediately report to the Illinois State Police, in Springfield, Illinois, the theft or recovery of any stolen or converted vehicle within his district or jurisdiction. The report shall give the date of theft, description of the vehicle including color, year of manufacture, manufacturer's trade name, manufacturer's series name, body style, vehicle identification number and license registration number, including the state in which the license was issued and the year of issuance, together with the name, residence address, business address, and telephone number of the owner. The report shall be routed by the originating law enforcement agency through the Illinois State Police District in which such agency is located.

(b) A registered owner or a lienholder may report the theft by conversion of a vehicle, to the Illinois State Police, or any other police department or Sheriff's office. Such report will be accepted as a report of theft and processed only if a formal complaint is on file and a warrant issued.

(c) An operator of a place of business for garaging, repairing, parking or storing vehicles for the public, in which a vehicle remains unclaimed, after being left for the purpose of garaging, repairing, parking or storage, for a period of 15 days, shall, within 5 days after the expiration of that period, report the vehicle as unclaimed to the municipal police when the vehicle is within the corporate limits of any City, Village or incorporated Town, or the County Sheriff, or State Police when the vehicle is outside the corporate limits of a City, Village or incorporated Town. This Section does not apply to any vehicle:

(1) removed to a place of storage by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, in accordance with Sections 4-201 and 4-203 of this Act; or

(2) left under a garaging, repairing, parking, or storage order signed by the owner, lessor, or other legally entitled person.

Failure to comply with this Section will result in the forfeiture of storage fees for that vehicle involved.

(d) The Illinois State Police shall keep a complete record of all reports filed under this Section of the Act. Upon receipt of such report, a careful search shall be made of the records of the office of the Illinois State Police, and where it is found that a vehicle reported recovered was stolen in a County, City, Village or Town other than the County, City, Village or Town in which it is recovered, the Illinois State Police shall immediately notify the Sheriff, Superintendent of police, Chief of police, or other police officer in command of the Sheriff's office or Police department of the County, City, Village or Town in which the vehicle was originally reported stolen, giving complete data as to the time and place of recovery.

(e) Notification of the theft or conversion of a vehicle will be furnished to the Secretary of State by the Illinois State Police. The Secretary of State shall place the proper information in the license registration and title registration files to indicate the theft or conversion of a motor vehicle or other vehicle. Notification of the recovery of a vehicle previously reported as a theft or a conversion will be furnished to the Secretary of State by the Illinois State Police. The Secretary of State shall remove the proper information from the license registration and title registration files that has previously indicated the theft or conversion of a vehicle. The Secretary of State shall suspend the registration of a vehicle upon receipt of a report from the Illinois State Police that such vehicle was stolen or converted.

(f) When the Secretary of State receives an application for a certificate of title or an application for registration of a vehicle and it is determined from the records of the office of the Secretary of State that such vehicle has been reported stolen or converted, the Secretary of State shall immediately notify the Illinois State Police or the Secretary of State Department of Police and shall give the Illinois State Police or the Secretary of State Department of Police the name and address of the person or firm titling or registering the vehicle, together with all other information contained in the application submitted by such person or firm. If the Secretary of State Department of Police receives notification under this subsection (f), it shall conduct an investigation concerning the identity of the registered owner of the stolen or converted vehicle.

(g) During the usual course of business the manufacturer of any vehicle shall place an original manufacturer's vehicle identification number on all such vehicles manufactured and on any part of such vehicles requiring an identification number.

(h) Except provided in subsection (h-1), if a manufacturer's vehicle identification number is missing or has been removed, changed or mutilated on any vehicle, or any part of such vehicle requiring an identification number, the Illinois State Police or the Secretary of State Department of Police shall restore, restamp or reaffix the vehicle identification number plate, or affix a new plate bearing the original manufacturer's vehicle identification number on each such vehicle and on all necessary parts of the vehicles. A vehicle identification number so affixed, restored, restamped, reaffixed or replaced is not falsified, altered or forged within the meaning of this Act.

(h-1) A person engaged in the repair or servicing of vehicles may reaffix a manufacturer's identification number plate on the same damaged vehicle from which it was originally removed, if the person reaffixes the original manufacturer's identification number plate in place of the identification number plate affixed on a new dashboard that has been installed in the vehicle. The person must notify the Secretary of State each time the original manufacturer's identification number plate is reaffixed on a vehicle. The person must keep a record indicating that the identification number plate affixed on the new dashboard has been removed and has been replaced by the manufacturer's identification number plate originally affixed on the vehicle. The person also must keep a record regarding the status and location of the identification number plate removed from the replacement dashboard. The Secretary shall adopt rules for implementing this subsection (h-1).

(h-2) The owner of a vehicle repaired under subsection (h-1) must, within 90 days of the date of the repairs, contact an officer of the Illinois State Police Vehicle Inspection Bureau and arrange for an inspection of the vehicle, by the officer or the officer's designee, at a mutually agreed upon date and location.

(i) If a vehicle or part of any vehicle is found to have the manufacturer's identification number removed, altered, defaced or destroyed, the vehicle or part shall be seized by any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and held for the purpose of identification. In the event that the manufacturer's identification number of a vehicle or part cannot be identified, the vehicle or part shall be considered contraband, and no right of property shall exist in any person owning, leasing or possessing such property, unless the person owning, leasing or possessing the vehicle or part acquired such without knowledge that the manufacturer's vehicle identification number has been removed, altered, defaced, falsified or destroyed.

Either the seizing law enforcement agency or the State's Attorney of the county where the seizure occurred may make an application for an order of forfeiture to the circuit court in the county of seizure. The application for forfeiture shall be independent from any prosecution arising out of the seizure and is not subject to any final determination of such prosecution. The circuit court shall issue an order forfeiting the property to the seizing law enforcement agency if the court finds that the property did not at the time of seizure possess a valid manufacturer's identification number and that the original manufacturer's identification number cannot be ascertained. The seizing law enforcement agency may:

(1) retain the forfeited property for official use; or

(2) sell the forfeited property and distribute the proceeds in accordance with Section 4-211 of this Code, or dispose of the forfeited property in such manner as the law enforcement agency deems appropriate.

(i-1) If a motorcycle is seized under subsection (i), the motorcycle must be returned within 45 days of the date of seizure to the person from whom it was seized, unless (i) criminal charges are pending against that person or (ii) an application for an order of forfeiture has been submitted to the circuit in the county of seizure or (iii) the circuit court in the county of seizure has received from the seizing law enforcement agency and has granted a petition to extend, for a single 30 day period, the 45 days allowed for return of the motorcycle. Except as provided in subsection (i-2), a motorcycle returned to the person from whom it was seized must be returned in essentially the same condition it was in at the time of seizure.

(i-2) If any part or parts of a motorcycle seized under subsection (i) are found to be stolen and are removed, the seizing law enforcement agency is not required to replace the part or parts before returning the motorcycle to the person from whom it was seized.

(j) The Illinois State Police or the Secretary of State Department of Police shall notify the Secretary of State each time a manufacturer's vehicle identification number is affixed, reaffixed, restored or restamped on any vehicle. The Secretary of State shall make the necessary changes or corrections in his records, after the proper applications and fees have been submitted, if applicable.

(k) Any vessel, vehicle or aircraft used with knowledge and consent of the owner in the commission of, or in the attempt to commit as defined in Section 8-4 of the Criminal Code of 2012, an offense prohibited by Section 4-103 of this Chapter, including transporting of a stolen vehicle or stolen vehicle parts, shall be seized by any law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency may:

(1) return the vehicle to its owner if such vehicle is stolen; or

(2) confiscate the vehicle and retain it for any purpose which the law enforcement agency deems appropriate; or

(3) sell the vehicle at a public sale or dispose of the vehicle in such other manner as the law enforcement agency deems appropriate.

If the vehicle is sold at public sale, the proceeds of the sale shall be paid to the law enforcement agency.

The law enforcement agency shall not retain, sell or dispose of a vehicle under paragraphs (2) or (3) of this subsection (k) except upon an order of forfeiture issued by the circuit court. The circuit court may issue such order of forfeiture upon application of the law enforcement agency or State's Attorney of the county where the law enforcement agency has jurisdiction, or in the case of the Illinois State Police or the Secretary of State, upon application of the Attorney General.

The court shall issue the order if the owner of the vehicle has been convicted of transporting stolen vehicles or stolen vehicle parts and the evidence establishes that the owner's vehicle has been used in the commission of such offense.

The provisions of subsection (k) of this Section shall not apply to any vessel, vehicle or aircraft, which has been leased, rented or loaned by its owner, if the owner did not have knowledge of and consent to the use of the vessel, vehicle or aircraft in the commission of, or in an attempt to commit, an offense prohibited by Section 4-103 of this Chapter.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-108) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-108)

Sec. 4-108. Violations of this Chapter. (a) Any person who violates or aids or abets in the violation of any of the provisions of Section 4-102, 4-103, 4-104 or 4-105 shall be guilty of such offense and be subject to the same sentence as if he had committed the offense himself.

(b) Any person who is convicted of any offense under Chapter 4 of this Act, in addition to any other fines or penalties provided therein, may be required to compensate the victim, if known, involved in the related offense, for any loss that the victim sustains to his person or property.

(c) The amount and method of payment of the compensation award shall be determined at the time of the conviction.

(d) For purposes of this Section, "victim" shall mean the owner or other legally entitled person.

(Source: P.A. 83-1473.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-109)

Sec. 4-109. Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program. The Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, is hereby authorized to establish and operate a Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program as follows:

(a) Voluntary program participation.

(b) The registered owner of a motor vehicle interested in participating in the program shall sign an informed consent agreement designed by the Secretary of State under subsection (e) of this Section indicating that the motor vehicle registered to him is not normally operated between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The form and fee, if any, shall be submitted to the Secretary of State for processing.

(c) Upon processing the form, the Secretary of State shall issue to the registered owner a decal. The registered owner shall affix the decal in a conspicuous place on his motor vehicle as prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(d) Whenever any law enforcement officer shall see a motor vehicle displaying a decal issued under the provisions of subsection (c) of this Section being operated upon the public highways of this State between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., the officer is authorized to stop that motor vehicle and to request the driver to produce a valid driver's license and motor vehicle registration card if required to be carried in the vehicle. Whenever the operator of a motor vehicle displaying a decal is unable to produce the documentation set forth in this Section, the police officer shall investigate further to determine if the person operating the motor vehicle is the registered owner or has the authorization of the owner to operate the vehicle.

(e) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of the Illinois State Police and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, shall design the manner and form of the informed consent agreement required under subsection (b) of this Section and the decal required under subsection (c) of this Section.

(f) The Secretary of State shall provide for the recording of registered owners of motor vehicles who participate in the program. The records shall be available to all law enforcement departments, agencies, and forces. The Secretary of State shall cooperate with and assist all law enforcement officers and other agencies in tracing or examining any questionable motor vehicles in order to determine the ownership of the motor vehicles.

(g) A fee not to exceed $10 may be charged for the informed consent form and decal provided under this Section. The fee, if any, shall be set by the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council and shall be collected by the Secretary of State and deposited into the Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Trust Fund.

(h) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of the Illinois State Police and the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-904, eff. 1-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/4-110)

Sec. 4-110. Stolen vehicle recovery hotline. In a county having a population of 3,000,000 or more, the county sheriff shall establish with other law enforcement agencies a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate interaction with vehicle manufacturers and vehicle location vendors consistent with the Freedom From Location Surveillance Act. The county sheriff shall collaborate with vehicle manufacturers, dealers, and vehicle location vendors to provide information and assistance to law enforcement officers in the investigation of a vehicular hijacking or kidnapping incident and ensure that consumers are provided with information concerning the hotline, new or used vehicles manufactured with stolen vehicle locator capabilities, and how consumers can activate stolen vehicle locator services by publishing the information in a conspicuous location on the county sheriff's website.

(Source: P.A. 103-300, eff. 1-1-24.)