By Dave Dahl

An Illinois business leader is becoming part of the national conversation on organized retail theft.

“We have been involved at the state and local level, and now we’re also involved  at the national level, of helping raise awareness through a coalition called USA-IT – United States of America against Illicit Trade,” said Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “So we are trying to address it for what it is, which is organized, not just localized.”

The large-scale theft helps fuel enterprises including the acquisition of guns and human trafficking. Karr says the group will unveil a broader strategy in the New Year, but first local officials – particularly in Chicago – must stop pointing fingers. Karr says that is evidence of a weak spot the criminals can easily attack.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].