Dupage Policy Journal

State Representative Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has recently introduced House Bill 4275, which criminalizes organized retail theft and imposes a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, according to a press release on Durkin's official website.

The bill was introduced following a recent statement from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot after she purportedly put part of the blame on businesses for the thefts, suggesting that they should be doing more to safeguard their products, according to a Fox 32 report

“State’s Attorney (Kim) Foxx and Governor (J.B.) Pritzker continue to coddle criminals and disregard the victims of their crimes," Durkin stated on Facebook, "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.”

Gold Coast Auto Gallery's owner also chastised Lightfoot and Foxx, saying they need to intervene against the spike in organized retail theft after several individuals snatched over $1 million in watches from the store on Dec. 11 in "broad daylight," according to a National Review article.

Robert Carr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said Lightfoot's remarks are "sadly misinformed" as businesses invest hundreds of millions of dollars in security each year.

"You can’t buzz everyone in and out the door. Retail doesn’t work that way. You can’t put everything behind lock and key and bars," Carr told Fox 32.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, sought to disassociate the Biden administration from recent remarks made by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), who said a lot of the smash-and-grab allegations were "just not panning out," according to The Daily Mail, and Lightfoot over their responses to an increase in organized retail theft in major cities.

"We have seen some of these extremely disturbing videos showing retail theft," Psaki stated, according to Fox 32. "State and local leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom have identified this as a serious concern. We agree. That’s the reason why we have sent additional support from the FBI, providing additional assistance. It’s one of the reasons why the president and members of our administration have been longtime advocates for supporting and funding the COPS program."

Durkin's legislation also allows for charges of organized retail theft to be filed across several areas, including the site of the crime, the location of the recovered product, or the location of the stolen merchandise's resale.

For example, if a business on Michigan Avenue is robbed but the organized criminal ring attempts to sell the stolen items in DuPage County, the crime may be prosecuted in either Cook or DuPage counties.