The strategy is based on reducing motor vehicle thefts, recovering stolen vehicles, obtaining arrests and convictions, enhancing the law enforcement infrastructure, promoting greater public awareness, and policing the marketplace for stolen vehicles and contraband parts. The Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act requires insurance companies to pay into a special trust fund an amount equal to $1 for each private passenger automobile insured for physical damage coverage. This amount totals about $5.4 million each year, and funds are primarily designated for law enforcement programs that increase the investigation and prosecution of motor vehicle theft crimes. These funds have dramatically improved motor vehicle theft law enforcement by establishing task forces, investigative teams, and other special efforts throughout Illinois. Such programs have resulted in 6,690 criminal investigations, 12,656 audits of vehicle-related businesses, 3,810 arrests, 822 convictions, 8,255 stolen and contraband vehicles recovered, and $54 million worth of vehicles recovered. Major accomplishments of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council in 1996 are noted, and brief descriptions of funded programs are included. Tables, figures, and photographs