Wal-Mart vote today in Finance Committee

This story from the Sun-Times was posted on January 9:

The developer of a former Chatham industrial site that was supposed to house Chicago's second Wal-Mart and first Supercenter that sells groceries is facing foreclosure after falling four months behind on loan payments.

The default -- and Archon Group's behind-the-scenes threat to file a $30 million lawsuit against the city if it loses the property -- turns up the heat on City Council Finance Committee Chairman Edward M. Burke (14th) to break the log-jam that has prevented Wal-Mart from building as many as five Chicago Supercenters in impoverished wards stuck in "food deserts."

An amended redevelopment agreement to pave the way for construction of the first of those mega-stores -- at 83rd and Stewart -- has been stuck in the Finance Committee since July.
...
Late last week, Burke met with Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon and Ron Powell, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 881, to finalize an exit strategy.

They talked about tying the Chatham Wal-Mart to an ordinance that would require retailers with more than 50 employees that benefit from city subsidies to pay a "living wage" of at least $11.03 an hour.

Wal-Mart has not asked for a subsidy for its Chatham store. But the redevelopment agreement includes a $32 million subsidy for the Chatham Marketplace.
...
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said he's hoping the Finance Committee will approve both measures Monday. "If we pass this ordinance before we pass 83rd Street, I'm confident we will have more than enough votes," Beale said.

Also Hermene Hartman has this to say regarding the Wal-Mart issue:

On Monday, January 11, City Council will make a decision about Wal-Mart coming to Chicago. The world's largest retailer is trying to open a new store in Chatham. Alderman Howard Brookins, has championed the cause. But powers larger than he are blocking. Wal-Mart wants to open a total of five new stores on Chicago's South Side in the 9th, 12th, 20th and 34th wards. The stores would be a welcomed assest in these communities. The Super Wal-Marts would serve the food desert communities with wholesome food at affordable pricing.

Wal-Mart has meant the resistance head on with business sensibility. The primary obstacle is the minimum wage supported by the Unions. Wal-Mart wants all of Chicago businesses to uphold the "new" wage, rather than it being a Wal-Mart unique ruling. This is only fair and equitable.

I'll let you go there to read her reasons why there should be other Wal-Marts on Chicago's south side. In addition to the proposed one at 83rd & Stewart. There are 10 of them.

Finally consider this an obligatory anti-Wal-Mart link courtesy of Gaper's Block:

The opening of a Walmart store in Chicago's Austin neighborhood in 2006 has not increased retail activity or employment opportunities, according to a study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Chicago.

The study found that stores near Walmart were more likely to go out of business, eliminating the equivalent of about 300 full-time jobs -- about as many as Walmart initially added to the area.

The findings support the contention that urban Walmart stores absorb sales from other city stores without significantly expanding the market, said study co-author David Merriman, head of the UIC department of economics and professor of public administration.

"What we're seeing here is that placing a Walmart in an urban setting is basically a wash in terms of sales revenue for the city and jobs for local residents," Merriman said. "This means that communities around the city shouldn't see Walmart or other big-box retailers as a panacea for local economic problems."

As always your thoughts on this issue is appreciated. The question hasn't changed. Would you like a Wal-Mart in our community? Why or why not?