Overview
- Walgreens told residents at a community town hall that it will close the Chatham store next month after losing over $1 million last year.
- Executives blamed a 16% theft rate—about four times the company average—along with weaker prescription sales.
- The company said it spent about $400,000 a year on security, yet employees still reported threats and people leaping counters to grab liquor and cigarettes.
- An analysis of Chicago police data found shoplifting reports tied to the site jumped 187% last year, and officials noted many thefts never get reported.
- Ald. William Hall called the move “first-degree corporate abandonment,” while Walgreens said prescriptions will shift to a store about a mile away or to mail delivery with free options for eligible seniors.