(815 ILCS 325/6.5)

Sec. 6.5. Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force.

(a) The Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force is created within the Office of the Secretary of State. The Office of the Secretary of State shall provide administrative support for the Task Force. The Task Force shall consist of the members designated in subsections (b) and (c).

(b) Members of the Task Force representing the State shall be appointed as follows:

(1) Two members of the Senate appointed one each by the President of the Senate and by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed one each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) One member representing the Office of the Secretary of State appointed by the Secretary of State; and

(4) Two members representing the Illinois State Police appointed by the Director of the Illinois State Police, one of whom must represent the State Police Academy.

(c) The members appointed under subsection (b) shall select from their membership a chairperson. The chairperson shall appoint the public members of the Task Force as follows:

(1) One member representing municipalities in this State with consideration given to persons recommended by an organization representing municipalities in this State;

(2) Five chiefs of police from various geographical areas of the State with consideration given to persons recommended by an organization representing chiefs of police in this State;

(3) One representative of a public utility headquartered in Illinois;

(4) One representative of recyclable metal dealers in Illinois;

(5) One representative of scrap metal suppliers in Illinois;

(6) One representative of insurance companies offering homeowners insurance in this State;

(7) One representative of rural electric cooperatives in Illinois;

(8) One representative of a local exchange carrier doing business in Illinois;

(9) One representative of automotive recyclers in this State; and

(10) One representative of fleet operators in this State.

(d) The Task Force shall endeavor to establish a collaborative effort to combat recyclable metal theft throughout the State and assist in developing regional task forces, as determined necessary, to combat recyclable metal theft. The Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of recyclable metal thefts in this State.

(e) Each year, the Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft and in assisting in the prosecution of persons engaged in recyclable metal theft. The Task Force shall by October 31 of each year report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-906, eff. 5-27-22.)