Don’t Take This From Illinois Grocery Stores Because It’s Illegal

Don't you ever wonder how shopping carts end up in the most bizarre places?

I have seen so many abandoned carts around town lately and obviously many people have no other option to store their belongings, so it's understandable.  It just made me very curious to see if there were actual laws about shopping carts going missing.  Little did I know, there sure are laws!

Who knew it was a big NO-NO to take a shopping cart off a store's property in Illinois?  It's not just a slap on the wrist, it's considered retail theft.  RETAIL THEFT!

Under Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, Article 16A: Illinois Retail Theft Crime Laws, it specifically states, "altering a price tag, transferring merchandise to different containers, or removing a shopping cart from the premises also constitutes retail theft under this section of Illinois law."

I can't even imagine seeing someone get "pulled over" for this.  I feel like law enforcement have better things to do than stop a person for "stealing" a shopping cart.

Though, if it was my business I'd actually be pretty bummed if all my carts went missing haha.  I wouldn't want it to go on someone's record, but at least return the cart!

If it were me, I'd drop this law and replace it with something way more beneficial for the world.  Yes, it's not right to take a shopping cart beyond a store's premises, but at least it's benefiting those who truly put it to good use.  What laws would you like to see implemented that could potentially change the country for good?