A Chicago alderman has called for criminal charges against pharmacy chain Walgreens after it announced the closure of another location due to rampant crime. Alderman William Hall made the statement following the announcement that the Chatham store on Cottage Grove Avenue will permanently shut its doors on June 4, 2026.
The store was experiencing significantly higher levels of theft and violent incidents compared to other nearby locations, leading to the closure, a Walgreens spokesperson told Block Club Chicago. Despite various efforts, including previous operating adjustments, ongoing safety challenges made it increasingly difficult to maintain a secure environment for team members and customers. The spokesperson emphasized that safety remains the company's top priority despite this difficult decision.
Residents and local lawmakers have rallied to protest the shutdown, warning it will worsen what they describe as a growing pharmacy desert, as multiple nearby Walgreens locations have closed. Alderman Hall stated, "Walgreens should be charged with first-degree corporate abandonment. It should be a crime the way they’re treating our elders and our families."
Hall was joined by Chatham residents in the South Side store’s parking lot, holding signs reading "Senior Lives Matter" and chanting "do right by us" at the pharmacy. More than two years ago, the store's hours were reduced from 24-hour service to closing at midnight. A Walgreens spokesperson attributed the change to an operational decision but did not provide additional details.
Five Walgreens on the South Side permanently closed last year, with another three shutting down over the past 18 months, the outlet reported. Hall noted that Walgreens has left nothing but abandoned buildings and broken centers across southern Chicago. He added that theft is a widespread problem, but the pharmaceutical giant has found ways to stay open despite rampant crime, pointing to a renovated store where most merchandise is locked behind glass, accessible only with employee assistance.
Chatham resident Latonya Mitchell told the outlet it is a shame the local drugstore is closing and that it will not be able to meet the community's needs. She often relied on it for quick items and said, "They’re leaving this community destitute. It’s drying up, and it’s another desert."
