{"id":2321863,"date":"2024-08-09T10:45:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T14:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illinois-retailers-communities-suffer-from-shoplifting-and-robbery-spikes-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-09T10:48:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T14:48:55","slug":"illinois-retailers-communities-suffer-from-shoplifting-and-robbery-spikes-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illinois-retailers-communities-suffer-from-shoplifting-and-robbery-spikes-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois retailers, communities suffer from shoplifting and robbery spikes &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fillinois-retailers-communities-suffer-from-shoplifting-and-robbery-spikes-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2321863&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-georgia-secretary-of-state-brad-raffensperger-neglected-to-protect-georgians-by-allowing-dominion-voting-machines-in-elections-he-didnt-prevent-fraud-he-provided-f\/\" title=\"REPORT: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Neglected to Protect Georgians By Allowing Dominion Voting Machines in Elections \u2013 He Didn\u2019t Prevent Fraud \u2013 He Provided for It\">recent report highlights<\/a> a significant increase in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pennsylvania-woman-allegedly-faked-her-own-death-to-avoid-being-charged-with-making-a-false-accusation-of-sexual-assault\/\" title=\"Pennsylvania Woman Allegedly Faked Her Own Death To Avoid Being Charged With Making A False Accusation Of Sexual Assault\">retail theft<\/a> affecting Illinois \u200dretailers and communities. Shoplifting incidents have\u200b risen by\u200c 45% this year, marking\u200d 2024 as the worst year for retail theft in Chicago since at least 2003. Rob Karr, President and CEO of \u200dthe Illinois Retail Merchants Association, \u2062expressed concerns about the\u2064 damaging financial and psychological impacts of these \u2063crimes on\u2062 business owners and employees. The rising theft rates contribute to\u2063 hiring challenges, particularly in Chicago, as potential \u2063employees worry about their safety.<\/p>\n<p>Retail theft not only affects businesses but also impacts\u2063 local economies, leading to an estimated loss of nearly $3 billion in revenue and $185 million in tax \u200drevenue for\u200d Illinois in 2022. In response to the crisis, Illinois Governor J.B. \u2064Pritzker enacted legislation in 2022 to\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-issues-series-of-statements-on-surging-crime-mainstream-media-midterms\/\" title=\"President Trump issues series of statements on surging crime, mainstream media &amp; midterms\">empower law enforcement<\/a> against \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dozens-of-looters-storm-a-california-nordstrom-employees-pepper-sprayed-physically-assaulted\/\" title=\"Dozens Of Looters Storm A California Nordstrom; Employees Pepper-Sprayed, Physically Assaulted\">organized retail theft<\/a>, with support from\u200b Karr and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association for House Bill 1091.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Illinois retailers, communities suffer from shoplifting and robbery spikes<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1726559\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Business owners and taxpayers are paying a big price for retail theft.<\/p>\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cwbchicago.com\/2024\/08\/shoplifting-spike-22-year-high-in-chicago.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CWBChicago<\/strong><\/a>, shoplifting reports have soared 45% this year, making 2024 the worst year for retail theft in the city since at least 2003.<\/p>\n<p>Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr told The Center Square that the burglaries and thefts are troubling.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Karr said.<\/p>\n<p>Karr said what is lost is that people view retail theft as a harmless crime.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Retail theft has the most victims. We are all impacted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cynthia-nixon-denounces-anti-shoplifting-laws-stealing-basic-necessities\/\" title=\"Cynthia Nixon Denounces Anti-Shoplifting Laws: \u2018Stealing Basic Necessities\u2019\">retail crime<\/a>, because of the sales tax that&rsquo;s generated off those sales. It&rsquo;s now gone,&rdquo; Karr said.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Karr and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association supported&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/illinois\/article_9ab250f2-bc2e-11ec-b2de-1bea91c927ef.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">House Bill 1091<\/a><\/strong>, which was also known as the INFORM Act. The law took effect on January 1, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They certainly gave significantly more power and leverage to the attorney general and state&rsquo;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,&rdquo; Karr said.<\/p>\n<p>Despite rising numbers of reported thefts, Karr said there may not be any need for new laws.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In terms of policy, I think the policies are in place to do this. Could there be tweaks? Maybe, but let&rsquo;s give the opportunities for the changes that were made to fully take effect,&rdquo; Karr explained.<\/p>\n<p>Illinois Restaurant Association President and CEO Sam Toia provided The Center Square with a statement, saying, &ldquo;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&nbsp;serves&nbsp;as a strong deterrent.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1726559\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1726559\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Illinois retailers and communities are facing significant challenges due to increases in shoplifting and robbery (The Center Square) \u2013 Business owners and taxpayers are bearing the brunt of retail theft. CWBChicago reports a 45% rise in shoplifting incidents this year, marking 2024 as the worst year for retail theft in Chicago since at least 2003. Rob Karr, President and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, expressed concern over these burglaries and thefts. He stated, \u201cThis situation is causing considerable financial and emotional distress not only for business owners but also for their employees. It\u2019s a major factor contributing to hiring challenges, especially in Chicago, where safety concerns are prevalent.\u201d Karr emphasized that many people mistakenly view retail theft as a minor crime. \u201cRetail theft affects the most victims; we all feel its impact because it reduces sales tax revenue,\u201d he noted. Capital One Shopping estimated that Illinois lost nearly $3 billion to theft in 2022 alone, with an estimated $185 million loss in tax revenue from retail crimes. In response to this issue, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in 2022 aimed at empowering the Illinois Attorney General and law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime more effectively. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association supported House Bill 1091\u2014known as the INFORM Act\u2014which took effect on January 1, 2023. Karr remarked that while this legislation has provided more authority to prosecutors, effective prosecution remains crucial\u2014especially within Cook County\u2014as they implement these changes fully before considering new laws or adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, echoed similar sentiments regarding crime levels across urban areas like Chicago: \u201cWe would appreciate seeing an increased presence of police officers and security personnel throughout our communities since their visibility acts as a strong deterrent.\u201d CWBChicago suggested that heightened reporting may be influencing the rise in shoplifting cases while also noting that some stores near migrant shelters might be experiencing higher rates of theft according to data from CWB and police records<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2321864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP24019782950877-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7204,6413,6581,12304,20737],"class_list":["post-2321863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-crime","tag-illinois","tag-retail","tag-robbery","tag-shoplifting"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP24019782950877-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2321863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2321864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2321863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2321863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2321863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}