|
Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr
told The Center Square that the burglaries and thefts are
troubling.
“It continues to create significant financial and psychological
harm not only to the people who own and manage the businesses,
but to the people who work there. It is a clear factor in hiring
difficulties, particularly within the city of Chicago, as people
are worried about their own safety,” Karr said.
Karr said what is lost is that people view retail theft as a
harmless crime.
“Retail theft has the most victims. We are all impacted by
retail crime, because of the sales tax that’s generated off
those sales. It’s now gone,” Karr said.
Capital One Shopping estimated that Illinois lost nearly $3
billion in revenue to theft in 2022. The retail thefts cost
Illinois an estimated $185 million in tax revenue.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in 2022 that gave
the Illinois Attorney General and other law enforcement agencies
more tools against organized retail theft.
Karr and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association supported
House Bill 1091, which was also known as the INFORM Act. The law
took effect on January 1, 2023.
“They certainly gave significantly more power and leverage to
the attorney general and state's attorneys, if they choose to
use them. I think what remains to be seen, particularly in Cook
County, is we need effective and timely prosecution,” Karr said.
Despite rising numbers of reported thefts, Karr said there may
not be any need for new laws.
“In terms of policy, I think the policies are in place to do
this. Could there be tweaks? Maybe, but let’s give the
opportunities for the changes that were made to fully take
effect,” Karr explained.
Illinois Restaurant Association President and CEO Sam Toia
provided The Center Square with a statement, saying, “Crime is
an issue here in Chicago and in all urban areas throughout the
United States. We would love to see more presence of officers
and security guards throughout our 77 communities. Officer
presence serves as a strong deterrent."
CWBChicago suggested that increased crime reporting may be
contributing to the surge of shoplifting cases in Chicago. In
addition, CWB data and police records show that proximity to
migrant shelters may be contributing to increases at some
stores.
|
|
