CHICAGO – Last year alone, more carjackings were reported in Chicago than in any other city. To address the increase in car thefts and hijackings, State Senator Bill Cunningham supported and co-sponsored a series of bills that were signed into law Thursday. 

“Carjackings have skyrocketed in Chicago,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Innocent people are affected by this crime daily, so we have to address the issue head-on by giving law enforcement the tools they need.”  

The bills signed into law include: 

House Bill 601, which seeks to thwart tech-savvy car theft rings. Car thieves have exploited new technology that can pick up the signal from a key fob at a distance, allowing a victim’s vehicle to be unlocked or stolen even while the fob remains in their home. The new law modernizes the definition of the possession of burglary tools offense to include devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key and devices designed to capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob.   

House Bill 3699, provides law enforcement with additional resources to coordinate efforts to put a stop to carjackings. The new law will fund the formation of law enforcement task forces to track carjacking rings that operate in multiple jurisdictions. Similar task forces have been successful in enabling police to share criminal intelligence to target narcotics trafficking.  

House Bill 3772, which will provide protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked. The law will also waive towing and storage fees for victims of carjacking if their vehicle is recovered and brought to an auto pond.  

“It is both foolish and unfair to hold victims responsible for any fees or citations placed on a car after it has been stolen from them,” Cunningham said. 

The new laws take effect Jan. 1, 2023. 

Register here:

www.SenatorBillCunningham.com/PropertyAfterDeathForum

CHICAGO – Over 100 businesses on the Southwest Side and Southwest Suburbs were awarded more than $3.2 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Bill Cunningham, and State Representatives Fran Hurley and Kelly Burke. 

“After passing a fiscally responsible budget, I am thrilled to see new investment in our small business community,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

A total of $3.21 million was awarded to 106 businesses in the 18^th Senate District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Let’s continue to shop local to show our support for small business and our local economy,” said Hurley (D-Chicago).

The state has seen five Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

“A good way to get our states finances back on track is by getting money back into the pockets of working people,” said Burke (D-Evergreen Park).

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Small businesses can visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..