Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signs retail theft crackdown bill into law to crack down on break-ins

“This is about the safety of our community,” Pritzker said. “It’s about preventing militarized shops and empty trade.”

The governor put pen to paper to sign the Information Act into law, which enforces the new organized retail theft charge.

This is the latest step in Illinois’ efforts to combat the crime plaguing businesses large and small around the state.

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Surveillance videos from several incidents show crowds of people rushing into stores to steal goods ranging from luxury goods to convenience stores, even when employees or customers are inside. Macy’s, Nordstrom, Burberry and LensCrafters along the Mag Mile have all been affected.

Last December alone, the organized crime task force of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul get back one million dollars of stolen items from storage units.

Also in December, a group of 14 people ransacked Louis Vuitton in Oak Brook, finding $120,000 in merchandise.

VIEW | 14 people involved in Louis Vuitton’s Oak Brook robbery

The new law punishes the ringleaders of these crimes, who are profiting and using it to fund other illegal activities.

“This is not aimed at a low-income parent who wants to feed their child,” said Governor Pritzker. “This is not about a child making short-sighted mistakes. This is about a multi-billion dollar industry of organized criminals who carry out sophisticated theft operations to profit on the internet. resale market.”

As part of the new law, those who knowingly join others in a theft of $300 or more will be charged with a Third Class felony.

“These attacks and actions not only put retail employees and customers at risk, but also deprive local and state autonomous cities,” said Chauncey Rice, of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. really need tax money,” said Chauncey Rice, Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

Those who engage in retail theft from one or more establishments will be charged with a Class Two felony, which carries a larger prison term.

State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton said: “Preventing retail crime begins with assisting law enforcement, with holding the ringleaders accountable and driving the sale of stolen goods. that becomes more difficult.

Burberry Michigan Ave Store. Marked for the second time in a week, Chicago police said

The law allows prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice even when the conspiracy, theft, and/or sales cross county boundaries. Now they can prosecute the whole crime.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has partnered with several lawmakers to make the law a reality.