Rauner order means no money for auto theft task force - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL

 

By Matt Buedel
GateHouse Media Illinois
Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 3:17 PM

PEORIA — A task force that investigates stolen vehicles throughout central Illinois appears poised to disband at the end of the week after Gov. Bruce Rauner froze grant funds that reimburse officers' salaries.

The State and Local Auto Theft Enforcement Task Force, which is based in Peoria, consists of officers from area police agencies and the Illinois State Police. Like a handful of other similar task forces around the state, SLATE is funded by grants from the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.

The grant money reimburses participating agencies for the salaries of officers assigned to the task forces. The council obtains funding for its grants from a $1 per vehicle per year fee that all auto insurance companies have been required to pay since the council was established by state statute in 1991.

Rauner froze that pool of money with an executive order issued Jan. 12 that prohibited disbursement of most grants until July 1 or until the grants can be reviewed by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

"I understand why the governor is doing what he is doing, but this is a fund set up through insurance companies to fight auto vehicle theft around the state," said Bartonville Police Chief Brian Fengel, who is one of 11 members on the council. "It's insurance company money, not taxpayer money."

For SLATE, the executive order apparently amounts to a stop-work order. Officers assigned to the task force will continue operations until Friday, then return to their home agencies. …

 

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