A bill approved by the Illinois Senate seeks to require pawn shops to hold onto items for a week before reselling them — an effort to help prevent the sale of stolen goods.
State Sen. Don Harmon said he introduced the bill in January. It passed 51-1 in the Senate April 22 and moved on to the House, where it’s being sponsored by state Rep. Camille Lilly.
The bill amends the state’s Pawnbroker Regulation Act, changing the wait time from 48 hours to seven days. That covers the selling or returning of an item, or its transfer to another pawn shop, Harmon said.
It also prevents pawn shops from taking in any items with an altered or missing serial number — another safeguard against stolen goods, he said.
Oak Park and Galewood resident concerns regarding the proliferation of pawn shops on North Avenue prompted Harmon to introduce the bill. A longer waiting period would give police more time to track down stolen items that may have been brought to pawn shops, he said.
“I hope it reassures folks that these businesses in the neighborhood are not going to facilitate crime,” Harmon said.
In Oak Park, a local ordinance already requires a 30-day waiting period on items, said village spokesman David Powers, and there are stringent reporting requirements on what pawn shops take in and sell.
The village has encountered problems with pawn shops over the years, “and there’s always been an issue with stolen goods,” he said.
If enacted, the state bill would give communities that don’t have anything on the books a stronger policing tool, Powers said.
Overall, the pawn shops on North Avenue have been good businesses that have partnered with police when necessary, Harmon said.
Judith Alexander, cofounder of the North Avenue Neighbors Association of Oak Park and chairwoman of the North Avenue Zoning and Development Advisory Committee, testified in Springfield on behalf of the bill. She said she hopes the bill will decrease the negative effect pawn shops can have on a business district.
“They’re what is known as a negative use, in development lingo,” Alexander said. “Their existence makes it more difficult for us to revitalize North Avenue.”
Alexander acknowledged some areas have a 30-day waiting period, “so a week is, relatively, in the great scheme of things, it’s far more tolerable.”
Some pawn shop managers in Oak Park and Chicago hadn’t heard about the bill but pointed out they’re already holding items for longer than the bill would require.
“I think that everybody should have to hold stuff,” said Aaron Cohen, manager of A1 Jewelry and Pawn, at 6151 W. North Ave. in Oak Park. “Most pawn shops, I’m sure, are holding beyond that anyway.”
Nadia Cardoso, assistant shop manager of Cash America Pawn, at 6303 W. North Ave. in Oak Park, also said they abide by the 30-day hold period for items.
Wesley Vanek, store manager of Easy Cash Solutions, at 6432 W. North Ave. in Chicago, said he also operates under a 30-day hold.
Such waiting periods are common, he said, and many shops default to 30 days to allow detectives enough time to possibly prevent the sale of stolen items.
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From a business side, seven days would be preferred, Vanek said. But procedurally, he said, 30 days gives police more time, “which I do like that part.”
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.