HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 6222 11/03/2015 Amending Chapter 23 "Offenses and Miscellaneous RegulationsORDINANCE NO. 6222
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23. "OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS
REGULATIONS" OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
Passed and approved
by the Mayor and Board of Trustees
this 3rd day of November, 2015
Published by authority of the corporate
authorities of the Village of
Mount Prospect, Illinois,
the 3rd day of November, 2015.
ORDINANCE NO. 6222
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23
"OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS"
OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, since 1975, all motor vehicles produced in the United States are required to have a catalytic
converter as part of the exhaust system. The catalytic converter is an emissions control device containing
precious metals, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium, that act as catalysts. When hot exhaust enters
the converter, a chemical reaction occurs that turns toxic carbon monoxide gas and hydrocarbons into
less harmful emissions; and
WHEREAS, because of these precious metals, thieves are stealing catalytic converters. They are
pawned or sold to junk peddlers, secondhand dealers, motor vehicle repair shops and recycling facilities
for a fraction of the converter's cost. A thief makes $100.00 to $150.00 from a stolen catalytic converter.
It costs the vehicle owner between $1,000 and $2,000 to replace it; and
WHEREAS, with just a few cuts of a battery powered saw, a catalytic converter can be removed from a
vehicle in less than a minute; and
WHEREAS, catalytic converter theft often happens to vehicles that are parked for prolonged periods in
large parking lots, such as shopping centers, mass transit commuter lots or company parking lots.
However, vehicle parked on Village streets are not immune from such theft; and
WHEREAS, because catalytic converters are not marked with the vehicle's VIN number, they are not
readily traceable to the vehicle's owner, making them easy fodder for theft and illegal resale; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Mount Prospect seek to deter catalytic
converter theft by joining with other municipalities to make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen
catalytic converters in the northern Illinois area;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS ACTING IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR
HOME RULE POWERS:
SECTION 1: Article IV "Offenses Against Property" of Chapter 23 "Offenses and Miscellaneous
Regulations" of the Mount Prospect Village Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 23.406
entitled "Sale, Trade and Recordkeeping With Respect to Catalytic Converters" which shall read as
follows:
23.406: Sale, Trade and Recordkeeping with Respect to
Catalytic Converters
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A. Prohibitions. No person, except a properly licensed motor vehicle repair shop or
a properly licensed recycling facility, shall remove, sell, deliver, purchase, take or
receive any used catalytic converter or part of a used catalytic converter.
B. Exceptions. The foregoing shall not apply to a catalytic converter that is
functioning as a catalytic converter and is properly affixed to a motor vehicle.
Neither shall it apply to a person making repairs on his or her own motor vehicle.
C. Removal of Catalytic Converters. Anytime a repair shop or recycling facility
removes or receives a used catalytic converter, the transaction shall be recorded
in a log. Each entry shall include the full name, address, telephone number and
driver's license number of the owner of the vehicle from which the catalytic
converter was removed, and the make, model, year and VIN number of such
vehicle. Such log shall be kept by the licensee for two years and, upon request
by any authorized Village official, shall be made available for inspection during
the shop's regular business hours.
SECTION 2: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and
publication in pamphlet form in the manner provided by law.
AYES: Hoefert, Matuszak, Polit, Rogers, Saccotelli, Zadel
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
PASSED and APPROVED this 3rd day of November, 2015
Arlene A. Juracek
Mayor
ATTEST:
Mich el J. Cassadf
Village Manager
Deputy Village Clerk
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