‘We’re trying to make it tough’: Lakemoor revises retail theft regulation

Lakemoor officials have strengthened measures to discourage shoplifting and combat an increase in retail theft.

Aside from setting mandatory fines at the maximum allowed, the village also plans to post a public “no trespassing” section on its website with the identity of anyone arrested, details of the charges, time and location of the arrest and other information.

The idea is making the information available in that fashion will be a deterrent to first-time or recurring shoplifting.

“You don't want a community filled with thieves and problems,” said Village Administrator Todd Weihofen.

The ordinance states individuals charged and found guilty of shoplifting, either in circuit court or the village’s administrative court, can be banned from the target business for a year. Offenders also can be banned from other businesses that have joined the “No Trespassing Program” making it a crime for the person to enter any of them.

The village’s retail base has grown considerably in the last few years with the ongoing development of the Woodman’s-anchored Lakemoor Commons shopping center at routes 12 and 120.

Weihofen said changes weren't prompted by a single occurrence. There now is a significant amount of retail uses and with shoplifting increasing, the village wants to discourage the practice.

According to language in the ordinance, retailers in Illinois lost nearly $2.7 billion in revenue in 2022 due to retail theft and taxing bodies lost out on more than $185 million in sales tax as a result.

The hope is that local businesses will band together and use the opportunity afforded by the revised ordinance. Information will be included in businesses license applications, which are up for renewal June 1, Weihofen said.

“I'll also be going and talking with businesses,” he said.

Fines are being raised from the minimum to the maximum. Anyone caught shopliftng merchandise worth $500 or under will be fined $500. The fine for taking over that amount is $750.

Shoplifting fines are like traffic tickets and the outcomes usually determined in a village adjudication hearing, with an administrator — in this case Weihofen — presiding. Repeat offenders can be referred to circuit court.

“We're trying to make it tough. If they can't afford it, they can do community service. Nobody wants thieves in their town,” Weihofen said.

The fine is in addition to any other sentencing order by a judge including but not limited to jail time, community service, restitution and/or counseling.

When a person is found liable for shoplifting and with the consent of the business, the court will issue a “no trespassing” notice to keep the violator out of that business for a year, Weihofen explained.

Other businesses in town can join the order and stop that individual from visiting their establishment, he added.

“If you steal at one store in Lakemoor, you may lose the privilege of shopping at other stores in Lakemoor,” he said.