Illinois' unemployment rate is 10.9 percent--and it is certainly higher on Chicago's South Side, where for years Wal-Mart has been trying to build its second store in the city, bringing 500 much-needed jobs.Much of the South Side is a "food desert," an area not serviced by supermarkets that offer affordable and fresh food. But Democratic politicians, such as Ald. Ed Burke (14th), are more interested in pandering to unions than tending to the needs of working families.
Burke, who is chairman of the powerful City Council Finance Committee, wants Wal-Mart to jump through "living wage" hoops before he allows the retail giant to break ground on its second store. Three other proposed big boxes hang in the balance.
The unions and Burke evidently prefer "no wages" unless they get their way.
Did I mention that Illinois has a 10.9 percent unemployment rate?
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Under normal circumstances I would say that this proposal is a bad idea. But then I'd rather movement on this issue than continued stalemate. Wal-Mart jobs aren't the best jobs, but then who is the city of Chicago to say that they won't allow a company to do business within the city.
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