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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in Chicago for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work van, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in Chicago, from Logan Square to Hyde Park. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: Chicago police counted 17,129 stolen vehicles in 2025. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car or truck live on your phone and alerts you the moment it moves, so you can tell police exactly where it is.
Choose your tracker
Two trackers, one app
One-time hardware price. Both show up on the same map.
ShadowAuto
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Plugs into the OBD-II port. Never needs charging.
- Car Alarm alerts you if it moves while parked.
- Engine codes and unplug alerts.
ShadowTrack
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Battery-powered. Runs for weeks on a charge.
- No OBD-II port needed: trailers, mowers, boats.
- Add the weatherproof magnetic case.
Chicago theft data
Car theft in Chicago by the numbers
17,129 stolen in 2025 is about 47 cars and trucks a day. That's 21% fewer than 2024, but the Chicago metro still ranks third in the U.S.
17,129
vehicles reported stolen in Chicago in 2025 (CPD)
24,299
stolen in the Chicago metro in 2025, 3rd in the U.S. (NICB)
41%
fewer CPD theft cases in 2025 than in 2023
#1
most stolen in Illinois, early 2025: Hyundai Elantra (NICB)
- Jeeps are a target too. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ranked second in Illinois in the first half of 2025, just behind the Hyundai Elantra, per NICB data reported by FOX 2.
- Down from the 2023 peak. Chicago police logged 29,255 vehicle thefts in 2023. The 2025 total was 41% lower, and still more than 300 a week.
- A tracker is the backup. Lock it, take the keys, and use GPS so you know where it went. What to do if it's stolen.
Who it's for
Built for how Chicago drives
Trades & work trucks
Vans and pickups sit on the street and at job sites. See every one on one map, and get an alert if one moves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near O'Hare & Midway
See that your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around the airport lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on the Kennedy & Dan Ryan
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, practice or home, and see each trip in the app.
Family guide →
How it works
Tracking in 3 easy steps
1
Plug it in
Plug ShadowAuto into the port under your dash. Every car and light truck since 1996 has one.
Is GPS tracking legal in Chicago? Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the owner's or lessee's consent. Using a tracking device to follow someone without that consent is a Class A misdemeanor under 720 ILCS 5/21-2.5. Full Illinois tracking law.
Pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
$69.90 per tracker, one time. Then a plan per tracker, per month. Cancel any time.
| Trackers | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $15/mo | $13/mo | $12/mo |
| 4+ (bulk order) | $13/mo | $11/mo | $10/mo |
Around town
Works across Chicago
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
The Loop & River North
Garages and street parking. Get an alert if a parked car moves.
Lincoln Park & Lakeview
Tight street parking near Wrigley Field. Check the car from your phone.
Logan Square & Wicker Park
Cars parked on the street overnight. Arm Car Alarm before bed.
O'Hare Airport
Long-term lots. Check the car from your gate on long trips.
Midway Airport
Geofence the lot while you fly.
I-55 & the Southwest Side
Warehouses and work trucks. Geofence the yard after hours.
Reviews
What our customers say
Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 205 reviews of ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
★★★★★
Perfect for peace of mind
"I bought this for my teenage daughter who just started driving. Setup was literally plug and play, took 2 minutes. The app is super intuitive too."
Sarah M. · Parent · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Exactly what I needed for my fleet
"I run a small delivery business with 6 vans. Plugged it into each van, downloaded the app, and within minutes I could see all my vehicles on one dashboard."
Michael T. · Small business · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Small business must-have
"The magnetic mount lets me move it between vehicles easily, and the tracking is always accurate. A fantastic investment for any small business."
Robert C. · Small fleet · ShadowTrack
FAQ
Common questions
Is it hard to set up?
No. ShadowAuto plugs into the OBD-II port under your dash in under 2 minutes, with no tools or wiring. ShadowTrack sits in a magnetic case.
Is there a monthly fee?
Yes. Live tracking uses a cell connection, so plans run $10 to $15 per tracker per month. No contract. Cancel any time.
Does it need a SIM card?
No. The connection is built in and covered by your plan.
Is GPS tracking legal in Chicago?
Yes, on any vehicle you own or lease, or with the owner's or lessee's consent. Chicago follows Illinois law, and using a tracking device to follow someone without that consent is a Class A misdemeanor under 720 ILCS 5/21-2.5.
Can I check my car at O'Hare or Midway while I travel?
Yes. Open the app from your gate to see the car live, and set a geofence around the parking lot so you get an alert if it leaves.
Does it work through a Chicago winter?
Yes. ShadowAuto runs off the car's OBD-II port, so it never needs charging in the cold. If the car is towed after a snowfall, the map shows where it went.
What should I do if my car is stolen in Chicago?
Call 911 or Chicago police first and give them the live location from the app. Don't try to recover the car yourself.
How fast does it update?
Every 5 seconds while your car or truck is moving.
How do I order 4 or more trackers?
Bulk orders of 4 or more go through our team. Contact us and we'll set up the account and the 4+ rate.
More GPS tracking near Chicago
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in Chicago.
Ordering 4 or more for your Chicago business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- Chicago Police CompStat, 2025 year end (citywide motor vehicle thefts, 2021 to 2025)
- NICB: U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline (2025 metro and state totals)
- FOX 2: most stolen vehicles in Illinois (NICB first-half 2025 data)
Also referenced: 720 ILCS 5/21-2.5 (see the Illinois page). Pricing current as of October 2026, in USD, per tracker. Some retailer links are affiliate links. Legal information is general and not legal advice; consult an Illinois attorney for your situation.