Attorney General Kwame Raoul has taken a leading role in a bipartisan effort involving 38 states and territories, urging Congress to address the increasing issue of organized retail crime. In a letter sent to Congress, Raoul highlighted the complex nature of these crimes, which often involve multiple jurisdictions at local, state, and federal levels.
"I am urging Congress to reintroduce a bill to combat organized retail crime because the complex nature of these crimes frequently involves multiple jurisdictions at the local, state and federal levels. Organized retail crime can take many forms and is often a mechanism used to support other types of crime. It is imperative that Congress pass national legislation to streamline the sharing of resources and information between law enforcement agencies and states," said Raoul. He further emphasized the need for national legislation that would enable better collaboration among states and law enforcement agencies.
The coalition's letter notes that organized retail crime has led to financial losses exceeding $121 billion in the U.S., with 76% of retail asset protection managers reporting violence against employees by criminals involved in these activities. Cargo theft remains a significant aspect of organized retail crime, affecting supply chains and contributing to inflationary pressures on various goods.
During the 118th Congress, bills such as H.R. 895/S. 140, known as the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, were introduced but not enacted. These measures aimed to provide essential resources for tackling this issue nationwide. Raoul and his coalition are now pressing the 119th Congress to reintroduce similar legislation with enhanced federal penalties for supply chain thefts.
In their communication, Raoul and fellow attorneys general proposed creating an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. This center would facilitate necessary information sharing to manage cross-border organized retail crimes effectively.
Raoul's efforts include establishing Illinois' first statewide public-private collaboration through an Organized Retail Crime Task Force. This initiative promotes cooperation among retailers, online marketplaces, law enforcement agencies, and state's attorneys targeting organized retail crime enterprises.
Additionally, Raoul has driven changes in Illinois law to specifically define organized retail crime and enhance oversight over online marketplaces where stolen goods may be sold illegally. The law requires identity verification for high-volume sellers on online platforms and allows broader prosecutorial powers across jurisdictions within Illinois.
Raoul co-led this bipartisan appeal alongside attorneys general from several states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Utah Vermont Virginia U.S Virgin Islands Washington West Virginia.