Migrant crime causing concerns
Charges have been filed against six migrants in two unrelated retail thefts in Oak Brook.
In one incident, four migrants entered Macy’s and allegedly took items into a fitting room and exited wearing the merchandise. Two other migrants entered Macy’s and allegedly began removing anti-theft devices and took 54 items worth over $10,000 from the store.
Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said migrant criminal activity is a “real problem.”
Another county eyes non-sanctuary status
A downstate Illinois county is taking steps to prevent migrants from being dropped off.
Ford County Zoning Committee members are moving forward to dub themselves a non-sanctuary county. If migrants were dropped off in the county of about 13,000, a county official said it would overwhelm their ability to house, feed and provide medical attention.
In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted legislation enhancing the state’s status as a migrant sanctuary.
Union membership decreases
Union membership continues to decline in Illinois. According to Illinois Policy, overall union membership dropped by 27,000 workers last year. That followed a drop of 17,000 in 2022.
Union membership continues a 34-year downward trend for Illinois, which saw overall union membership at over 20% in 1989 compared to just around 13% in 2023. Nationwide, union membership numbers remained stable between 2022 and 2023, with about 10% of workers belonging to unions.
