CHICAGO (WLS) – After numerous break-ins and lootings in suburban malls and many high-end stores on Michigan Avenue, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Friday punishing those who commit petty crimes more severely.
“It’s about the safety of our communities,” Pritzker said. “It’s about preventing militarized shop windows and empty ads.”
The governor put a pen on paper to sign the information law, which imposes the new crime of organized retail theft.
This is the latest step in Illinois’ efforts to fight crime that plagues big and small businesses in the state.
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Surveillance videos captured several incidents showing crowds of people rushing to stores to steal goods from luxury goods to stores, even when employees or customers were inside. Macy’s, Nordstrom, Burberry and LensCrafters along the Mag Mile are affected.
Last December alone, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raul’s organized crime task force removed $ 1 million worth of stolen items from warehouses.
Also in December, a group of 14 people searched Louis Vuitton in Oak Brook, fleeing for $ 120,000.
WATCH 14 participate in Oak Brook Louis Vuitton grab and run
The new law fights against the leaders of the circle who organize these crimes, who win and use it to finance other illegal activities.
“This is not aimed at a low-income parent who is desperate to feed his child,” said Governor Pritzker. “It’s not about a child making a short-sighted mistake. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry of organized criminals carrying out complex theft operations to make a profit on the resale market.”
As part of the new law, those who knowingly engage with others in the theft of $ 300 or more will be guilty of a third-class crime. Those involved in retail theft from one or more establishments will be guilty of a second-class crime, which will lead to more imprisonment.
“The deterrence of petty crime begins with the support of law enforcement, by holding leaders accountable and making it harder to sell these stolen goods,” said Sen. Susie Gloviak Hilton.
The Burberry Michigan Ave. was robbed for the second time in a week, Chicago police said
The law allows prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice even if conspiracy, theft, and / or sale cross the county line. Now they are able to prosecute the whole crime.
The Illinois Retailers Association has partnered with several lawmakers to make the law a reality.
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