Illinois Retail Merchant Association CEO Rob Karr on the state’s retail crime bill

The Illinois General Assembly passed HB1091 in the final hours of the spring session to crack down on organized retail crime and smash-and-grabs that have become a nemesis for business owners along the Magnificent Mile and at stores in suburban shopping malls. It was one of several bills lawmakers passed at the end of session to address concerns about public safety. Illinois Retail Merchants Association CEO Rob Karr led the push for the bill and sat down with The Daily Line’s Ben Szalinski to talk about what the bill does, address some criticism after Republicans said the bill was too weak, and give listeners an inside perspective of the negotiations and how the bill was agreed to in the final hours of session.