Violent Retail Crime Increasing Across Illinois

Retail workers across Illinois are encountering increasing levels of in-store violence tied to repeat and organized offenders, according to new data released by global retail crime intelligence company Auror.

The data indicates that one in seven retail crime incidents now involve violence, weapons or threatening behavior. At the same time, a relatively small group of offenders is responsible for a disproportionate share of activity, with the top 10 percent of offenders accounting for more than 63 percent of reported incidents in Illinois stores over the past year. Overall, violent events rose by 7 percent during that period.

The findings are based on information gathered from some of North America’s largest retailers that use Auror’s reporting platform to document crimes after they occur. The system allows retailers and law enforcement agencies to identify repeat offenders and track organized crime patterns across jurisdictions by connecting incidents that may otherwise appear unrelated, while maintaining data privacy protections.

The Illinois Organized Retail Crime Association, the state’s only statewide intelligence-sharing network focused on organized retail crime, said the data highlights growing risks despite increased investments by retailers in security and loss prevention efforts.

“Organized retail crime hurts Illinois communities on multiple levels. It puts retail workers in harm’s way and targets local businesses through coordinated, sophisticated operations by criminal groups to fund other illicit activities,” said Anne Sagins, executive director of ILORCA. “Addressing this threat requires strong coordination between retailers and law enforcement, and tools like Auror, which is utilized by ILORCA, are critical to sharing intelligence, identifying repeat offenders, and shutting down these criminal enterprises.”

The data also shows firearms are involved in 39 percent of weapon-related incidents, making them the most commonly used weapon in retail crimes, followed by knives and other blades.

“Violence in retail is completely unacceptable. Coordinated reporting and collaboration are key to targeting the small number of offenders that are causing the majority of harm,” said Raul Aguilar, Auror’s head of law enforcement for the Americas and a former assistant director for Homeland Security Investigations responsible for organized retail crime.

“Consistent reporting and shared intelligence are helping retailers and law enforcement identify these repeat offenders, who often operate across jurisdictions. These are not isolated incidents, they are part of organized, multi-state criminal operations, which is why coordinated action is essential.”

Organized retail crime continues to have financial consequences for businesses and consumers. Illinois retailers are estimated to lose more than $2 billion annually to retail theft, which can affect staffing levels, store operations and pricing. The losses also reduce sales tax revenue for local communities.

“We are all paying more because of organized retail crime. Retailers are investing heavily to protect their employees and customers, but it takes a unified, statewide approach to build on those investments,” said Rob Karr, president and chief executive officer of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “Through the Illinois Organized Retail Crime Association, Illinois is bringing together retailers, law enforcement and policymakers to disrupt these organized crime syndicates and reduce the financial impact felt by businesses and families.”

Illinois is also among the top three states targeted for cargo theft. ILORCA is the first organization of its kind in the nation to include railroads, trucking companies and distributors in its efforts, addressing organized retail crime across the entire supply chain.

In addition to its use of the Auror platform, ILORCA said it will continue working with law enforcement agencies, businesses and other partners across the state to strengthen coordination and improve responses to organized retail crime.