PRICE GOUGING
Throughout this emergency, IRMA has been communicating directly with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and his senior staff particularly on the issue of price gouging. IRMA is very pleased with deliberative approach Attorney General Raoul and his staff have been taking on the issue of price-gouging. For example, he starts all his interviews noting the cooperative approach they are taking with IRMA and its members and the fact that what many people claim is pricing gouging is not, in fact, price gouging. They have received over 900 complaints and, to-date, have not issued a single cease-and-desist order. However, the Attorney General needs your help.
PLEASE respond promptly to any request from the Illinois Attorney General as it relates to price-gouging. Why? The press is actively filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. If you have responded, the AG’s office is able to demonstrate that the price you are charging is not, in-fact, price gouging. That helps preserve your reputation and IRMA appreciates their willingness to do this.
We recognize it is one more thing grocers are having to do in a LONG litany of extra measures the retail community has taken on to protect its employees and consumers. We also recognize that it can be VERY frustrating when nearly all of the claims are without merit. Nevertheless, responding does help to protect your brand. Thank you for the attention we know you will give this request.
GOVERNOR’S EO As noted yesterday, Governor Pritzker extended his stay-at-home Executive Order through April 30th. A short time ago the new Executive Order was released. IRMA had suggested a few clarifications which were not adopted.