Each year, the Council collects and administers special trust funds derived from a $1 assessment on the private passenger insurance policies written by insurers in Illinois. The Council makes grants to those who implement program to combat or prevent vehicle theft. Each year, the strategy describes the nature and extent of the vehicle theft problem in Illinois, the areas of the State where the problem is greatest, particular problems that the Council should address, and the types of programs it should support. The Council has found that its long-standing comprehensive approach to motor vehicle theft is still on target for 1998. Since it began its work in 1991, vehicle theft has decreased 26 percent statewide. Motor vehicle theft remains concentrated in the metropolitan areas of Illinois, but double- digit decreases were seen in Chicago and other urban areas. The Council's funded programs have achieved impressive results as witnessed in the increases in the number of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions for vehicle theft and related offenses, as well as reductions in the vehicle-theft-related offenses in Illinois. Multijurisdictional task forces coupled with appropriate prosecutorial resources continue to show that they are an effective law enforcement approach to vehicle theft. In the 1998 strategy, the Council continues to support law enforcement "infrastructure" programs, a key to long-range planning. Auto theft investigation training programs enable officers across the State to identify and recover stolen vehicles and parts. Likewise, the uniform data collection and dissemination is critically important to programs that are fighting vehicle theft and will remain in place in 1998. Public awareness programs on motor vehicle theft and related insurance crimes conveyed important messages through the Park Smart and Beat Auto Theft programs in 1997. The Council includes public education on vehicle theft in its 1998 strategic plan. Appended Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, public input notice, panel discussions program, funded programs, and 1997 trust fund contributors