New law goes after people involved in organized retail crimes

A new Illinois law is on the books which impose harsher punishments on people who carry out organized retail crimes, including smash-and-grab burglaries. Chauncey Rice from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says organized retail theft is a multi-billion dollar a year industry nationwide that creates a trickle down effect.

Anyone involved in a retail theft of $300 or more would be charged with a Class 3 felony, but State Representative Ryan Spain says criminal justice reform measures pushed through by Democrats, like the ending of cash bail January 1, need to be scrapped.

The new laws, called the Inform Act, go into effect January 1, 2023.