SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, another $677,000 in June 2024, and $637,500 in July 2025.
From April through June 2026, ISP missions resulted in the following:
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- Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked: 342
- Stolen vehicle arrests: 24
- Hijacked vehicle arrests: 4
- Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery: 10
- Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 20
- K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime: 11
- Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 20
- Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle: 975
Highlights of ISP vehicle recovery efforts:
- May 21, 2026, ISP located a stolen Nissan on 47th and Vincennes in Chicago and attempted a traffic stop, but the Nissan fled. The three occupants attempted to run from the vehicle. ISP took all three occupants into custody and recovered two firearms.
- May 25, 2026, ISP located a stolen vehicle on 111th and St. Lawrence in Chicago and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The vehicle stopped near 109th and Troop and driver ran from the vehicle. ISP took the driver into custody and recovered a firearm.
- June 26, 2026, ISP located a vehicle involved in a fresh vehicular hijacking on Sibley Blvd. at Torrence Ave. in Calumet City and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The vehicle stopped in the 100 block of W. 110th Place in Chicago and the two occupants ran from the vehicle. Both occupants were taken into custody.
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