Chicago Aldermen Ponder Corporate Charges Against Walgreens

Chicago aldermen are contemplating filing “corporate” criminal charges against Walgreens, following the pharmacy chain’s announcement to close stores in the South Side of the city. This decision stems from significant concerns regarding retail theft and violence in drugstores.

“We’re not here to beg Walgreens to stay,” commented Ward 6 Councilman Will Hall during a press conference with local residents. “Their decision is, frankly, misguided. I believe this should be seen as a serious corporate crime, especially since many elderly individuals will lose access to essential healthcare.”

The Walgreens location on Cottage Grove Avenue is set to permanently close on June 4, 2026, with the nearest alternate location being over a mile away.

In a statement to a local newspaper, Walgreens cited theft and violence as primary reasons for its decision to shut down this store.

Over two years ago, the hours for this drugstore were cut back from being open all night to shutting down at midnight.

“Despite our current efforts, including changes to operations, the ongoing safety concerns make it increasingly challenging to provide a secure environment for both employees and customers,” the statement explained. “This was a tough choice, but safety is our main concern.”

At the press conference, community members rallied around Hall, carrying signs that read, “Older Lives Matter” and “No More Abandoning Businesses.”

Last year, five Walgreens stores on the South Side closed, and three more have shut down over the past 18 months.

Hall pointed out that theft isn’t exclusive to Walgreens and that other retailers are successfully tackling these challenges by, for example, securing products and encouraging shoppers to seek assistance from staff.

Chicago, particularly its South Side, has become a focal point of public frustration regarding escalating violent crime, which often affects innocent civilians through mass shootings and drive-bys.

This year alone has seen over 500 shootings and 134 murders, marking an approximate 8 percent rise compared to last year, as per data tracked by the City of Chicago.

A 2020 study revealed that nearly 80 percent of all ages among violent crime victims in Chicago were Black men, with two-thirds of those aged 20 to 39 also being Black, while 15 percent were Hispanic.