ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Police in the Metro East are getting help in crime fighting efforts as the State of Illinois is spending millions to prevent carjackins and car thefts.

Monday, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office announced more than $11 million in new grants. The money will go to law enforcement agencies across the state to combat carjackings and car thefts. The new funding is in addition to more than $11 million in grants alread given out for the program so far in 2025.

In the third quarter of 2025, Illinois State Police conducted 40 operations targeting stolen or carjacked vehicles. During that three-month periond, officers recovered 280 vehicles and made 25 arrests. Police found more than a dozen guns in connection with those crimes.

See Full Page