We, the undersigned residents, business owners, employees, and community members of Cook County, Chicago and The Gold Coast urgently call on State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neil Burke to support a comprehensive and coordinated plan to address the growing crisis of recidivist retail theft. 

The Issue:

Lowering the felony theft threshold from $1,000 to $300 is a great step in the right direction, but it is not enough.

Recidivist offenders continue to harm businesses, endanger employees and customers, and destabilize our communities.

The Clark and Division Street area remains a hotspot for drug activity and the sale of stolen retail goods, providing a safe haven for criminals to buy, sell, and use drugs. The trafficking of stolen merchandise actively fuels and sustains this thriving drug market.

To effectively resolve this issue, we urge your office to take decisive action by supporting The Recidivist Accountability Plan (RAP) with the following critical measures:

 1. Consolidated Prosecution for Repeat Offenders

 • Consolidate multiple theft charges into one case to clearly demonstrate patterns of criminal behavior and ensure repeat offenders face stronger legal consequences. Encourage retailers to work together at CAPS meetings to identify recidivists and communicate monthly lists through CPD.

 2. Call for Collaboration Between Retailers and CPD

 • Raise awareness about retailers’ legal license obligation to observe, report crimes, and cooperate with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) (code 4-4-306).

 • Implement a system for retailers to securely share theft data with CPD in real-time and at CAPS meetings to track and address repeat offenders more effectively.

 3. Community-Driven Deterrence

 • Work with CPD, retailers, and residents for them to collect and report information on recidivist activity to a “ Recidivist Officer” taking the lead in our district  

 • Build a community-wide effort to deter theft, identify organized crime rings, and improve law enforcement responses.

 4. Stronger Legal Consequences for Recidivists

 • Ensure repeat offenders face meaningful penalties, including mandatory court appearances, stricter probation terms, or participation in intervention programs designed to prevent further crimes.

Why This Matters:

By implementing these measures, we can restore accountability, protect businesses, and safeguard public safety. Without real, decisive action, retail theft will continue to hurt Cook County communities and local economies.

We stand together in calling for a robust response to recidivist retail theft. We urge State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neil Burke to take immediate action to stop the rise of theft and protect our neighborhoods.

Please sign this petition to demand action and show your support for a safer, stronger neighborhood.