“Smash-and-grab retail theft has become disturbingly commonplace, and these criminals are only becoming more brazen,” Illinois state Rep. Jim Durkin said. | Facebook/Jim Durkin
“Smash-and-grab retail theft has become disturbingly commonplace, and these criminals are only becoming more brazen,” Illinois state Rep. Jim Durkin said. | Facebook/Jim Durkin
Illinois State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has introduced legislation that would increase punishments for organized retail theft.
HB 4275 would make organized retail theft a felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail. The proposed legislation is in response to the rise in theft rings that conduct organized “smash-and-grab” robberies.
It would also allow for organized retail theft to be charged in either the location the theft took place; the location the merchandise was recovered; or where stolen merchandise was resold.
“State’s Attorney (Kim) Foxx and Governor (J.B.) Pritzker continue to coddle criminals and disregard the victims of their crimes. It is time we reset our criminal justice system and hold those who disregard our laws accountable. Our citizens and our merchants are desperate for action,” Durkin wrote in a Dec. 14 Facebook post.
FOX News reports that Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot placed part of the blame for retail theft on the businesses being stolen from.
"We also got to push retailers. Some of the retailers downtown and [on] Michigan Avenue, I will tell you, I'm disappointed that they are not doing more to take safety and make it a priority," Lightfoot said, according to FOX News. "For example, we still have retailers that won't institute plans like having security officers in their stores, making sure that they've got cameras that are actually operational, locking up their merchandise at night. Chaining high-end bags — these purses seem to be something that is attracting a lot of attention on these organized retail theft units."
On Dec. 11, thieves stole over $1 million worth of watches from the Gold Coast Auto Gallery, National Review reported. The business owner criticized Lightfoot and Foxx, saying that they need to take action against the rise in organized smash-and-grab robberies.
“Smash-and-grab retail theft has become disturbingly commonplace, and these criminals are only becoming more brazen,” Durkin said. “These crimes have many victims, from the people who own and operate these stores, to their employees and customers. We cannot let this stand. These criminals are sophisticated and organized like the street gangs that terrorize our communities and must be treated the same.”
In 2020, criminals stole around $4 billion worth of goods from Illinois retailers, according to Durkin.
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