Chicago pol says Walgreens should be charged with ‘first-degree corporate abandonment’ over closure over theft
A. Chicago A city council member outraged by the imminent closure of a Walgreens store due to safety concerns stated that the corporate retailer should be charged with “first-degree corporate abandonment.”
Ald. William Hall, along with several community members, held a press conference Monday to express their outrage over the company’s decision to close the location in Chicago’s 6th Ward in the Chatham neighborhood.
“Walgreens should be charged with first-degree corporate abandonment,” Hall said. “The way they treat our elders should be a crime. The way they treat our families should also be a crime.”
The store is scheduled to close on June 4. Fox News Digital has reached out to both Hall’s office and Walgreens for further comment.
Democrat Also in the Hot Seat After Retail Theft Surges in America’s Major Cities
Chicago Ald. William Hall condemned Walgreens’ move to close a store in the city, citing theft and safety concerns. Hall said the retail chain should be charged with “first-degree corporate abandonment.”
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In a statement to Chicago Sun-TimesThe Chicago-area-based pharmacy store chain cited theft and violence as key factors behind its decision to close the store on S. Cottage Grove Ave.
“Despite a number of efforts, including prior operating regulations, these ongoing security issues have made it increasingly difficult to provide a safe environment for our team members and customers,” the company said. “While this is not an easy decision, safety must remain our top priority.”
Walgreens confirmed that employees in the area will be eligible to transfer to other stores.
Walgreens closed a store in Chicago, sparking outrage from community members and city leaders.
Hall emphasized that the community was not “begging” Walgreens to stay, but argued that the company was wrong to leave residents without a place to fill medical prescriptions. Warns closure will create ‘drug shortage’ for seniors and administrators chronic health conditions.
“We’re not here to beg Walgreens to stay. We’re saying their decision was the wrong decision,” Hall said. “I think it should be considered a first-degree corporate crime… The number of seniors not being able to access healthcare is bad.”
He also noted that Walgreens “exhausted” all the small local businesses in the area when it first opened.
Ald. Raymond Lopez, DemocratHe said he understands the community’s frustration but questions the timing of the anger.
“Where was that anger when the stores in our communities were attacked over the years when criminals were allowed to steal, vandalize and destroy neighborhood institutions?” Lopez asked this question in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Many leaders say this is just an insurance issue. They are wrong. The proliferation of crime has real-world consequences. This shutdown is a perfect example of that impact.”
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Walgreens has closed stores in other cities due to widespread theft.
The chain closed several in 2021 Stores in San FranciscoIt alleges organized retail crime.
Original article source: Chicago police say they should be charged with ‘first-degree institutional abandonment’ over Walgreens closure due to theft
