SPRINGFIELD —With recyclable metal theft becoming more and more of a problem, a state representative is asking Illinois legislators to approve a bill designed to deter people from stealing precious metal.

At a press conference last week, State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) introduced House Bill 3825 that places restrictions on transactions involving the sale of recyclable metal.
“As the price of scrap cooper has increased, so too have the instances of theft,” said Unes. “We see news reports several times a week now about air conditioning units being stolen for recyclable metals.”
If approved, the bill would require records be kept of all recycling transactions for three years, rather than two. It would also require recyclable metal dealers to make a copy of any bill they make for the sale metal and require them to ask seller where they got the metal.
“By requiring a paper trail on all sellers of recycled metals like copper, it can provide a means for law enforcement to trace back stolen goods to the seller of those items,” said Unes. “This will help law enforcement to arrest more copper thieves, clearing the way for the honest metal recyclers.”
The bill would also require recyclable metal dealers to use a check, not cash, when paying for air conditions, evaporator coils, condensers and other appliances containing copper tubing or wiring. The checks would be issued to sellers three business days following the transaction.
Recyclable metal dealers would not be allowed to accept metal or any property marked as belonging to a business or associated with government use, such as guardrails, manhole covers and street signs, if the bill is signed into law.
As it is all over the state and country, recyclable metal theft is a big problem in 91st District that Unes represents.
“The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department reports they have received around 40 reports of recyclable metal theft in 2011,” said Unes.
According to Tazewell County Sheriff Bob Huston, Tazewell County residents have lost $200,000 - $300,000 as a result of metal thefts in the last two years.
“This is a bill that’s badly needed by law enforcement,” said Huston.
In neighboring Peoria County, recyclable metal theft is “a very big problem that just keeps getting worse,” said Peoria County Sheriff’s Department Detective David Hoyle.
Hoyle thinks the bill would not be enough to deter criminals from stealing metals.
“It’s going to help, but it’s not going to take care of it,” said Hoyle.
According to Hoyle, the state needs to require recyclable metal dealers to hold onto recyclable metal for “at least a week” before they pay sellers for them.
“If you steal copper on Friday night and by Saturday morning you’ve got it sold and it’s gone and then the people found out that you stole it on Monday morning,” said Hoyle. “It’s too late. It’s already gone.”
Hoyle also thinks that people should be licensed with the state before they are allowed to sell recyclable metal to recyclable metal dealers.
“What they probably need to do is have a junker registration,” said Hoyle. “Have them be registered and be licensed. That way we can keep track of all of them.”
To make sure the bill is drafted correctly, Unes is gathering feedback from law enforcement agencies, recyclable metal theft victims and officials in the recyclable metal industry.
“I want to incorporate their suggestions and best practices into this bill to ensure we get this right,” said Unes.
Unes hopes the bill will be debated and voted upon during the Illinois General Assembly Fall Veto Session that starts in late October. If the bill is not debated during the Fall Veto Session, Unes will pursue the passage of the bill at the beginning of the Spring Veto Session that starts in January.
“I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in recognizing this is a problem that needs to be addressed by the Illinois General Assembly as soon as possible,” said Unes.