Sorensen Votes to Protect Illinois from Organized Retail Crime

May 14, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Eric Sorensen voted to pass bipartisan the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, legislation that would improve coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement to help crack down on organized retail crime (ORC). “Across Illinois’ 17th district, I hear from businesses and law enforcement officers alike about the dangerous impact of organized retail crime. These are not just instances of one-off theft but coordinated criminal networks that are driving up costs and putting people in danger”, said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “I cosponsored and voted for this legislation because it’s critical that law enforcement in Illinois have the tools that they need to keep us safe.” The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would: Establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security. Designate ORC a federal crime and equip federal investigators and prosecutors to combat these operations. Require the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to report to Congress on this type of crime and enforcement. Congressman Eric Sorensen represents Illinois’ 17th District in the United States House of Representatives. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for more than 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. ### Issues : Public Safety Related Items National Police Organizations Endorse Sorensen’s Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act