Vehicle Thefts Surging: IL Ranks In Top 5 For Most Vehicle Thefts

ILLINOIS — Last year, more than one million vehicles were reported stolen in the United States, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. New data from the not-for-profit shows vehicle theft rates have been rising steadily since 2019, but where does Illinois rank?

By volume, Illinois ranks fifth in the country with 41,528 vehicle thefts in 2023. That puts the "Prairie State" behind only California (208,688), Texas (115,013), Florida (46,213) and Washington (43,160), according to the report, released earlier this month.

Of that statewide number, 36,272 vehicle thefts occurred in the Chicagoland area, which marks a 9 percent increase from 2022. That also places the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area third in total volume in the nation.

While Illinois ranks high in the total number of vehicle thefts, it did not crack the top 10 for states that saw the greatest percentage increase from 2022 to 2023. That list was topped by District of Columbia, which saw a 64 percent increase over the course of the one-year study.

Overall vehicle thefts increased about one percent nationwide from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023, according to NICB.

"Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including the use of advanced technology to bypass security systems," said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB, which is headquartered in Oak Brook. "From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates."

NICB recommends the following tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or trunk.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately because reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.