v

if'.

""

";~'I/I,"""

'tJi~

~l)~fiJv;//!I'/ll~W(lfYJJ

,/(I!.{?;;,r4-t.,q/Ntl

Big Business vs. Social Responsibility

~ By Deneen Weinz Last week, Chicago's nationally acclaimed "Big Box Ordinance" sent a loud message to big business. The ordinance requires "big box" stores with at least 90,000 indoor square feet and annual revenues over a $1 billion to pay $9.25 hourly plus $1.50 in benefits, up to $10 hourly and $3 in benefits by 2010. retailers have received millions of dollars in tax savings, billions in revenue and ~ ... petitive disadvantage." Big millions for their top employees and shareholders. Retailers will now have to decide to either do a smaller store or go the suburban areas outside of the city limits. Some opponents of the ordinance cited that their constituents needed local jobs in their local com-

The Northalsted

Market Days are

I,

August 5 of events ona page 7. comf)lete listing and 6. See

Englewood voices demands for pol ice

By Tasha Lynette Qopton
Annoyed at Police Supt. Phillip Cline's absence IToma community meeting regarding violence in the Englewood neighborllOod, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) proceeded with its July 26 meeting at Kennedy-King College anyway. The meeting was called in response to Cline's request that "more than 15 people be present" before he would meet with residents, according to ACORN member and meeting emcee Geno Blackamore. Over a hundred people filtered in and out of the two-hour meeting . In Cline's place, Captain James Paoletti, Day Watch Commander of the 7th district, addressed the gathering. He noted that Cline has requested federal law enforcement resources ftom U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (DIL) and U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), including A1F agents and postal inspectors. "There are some investigations being launched," Paoletti stated, adding that he was not at liberty to discuss them. "I've been here 5 1/2 years. It is better today than it was 5 1/2
cars a1!<)_~~

'0

who need work face barriSupporters claim a major '~.munities. Once again people a. ers in transportation if the victory, opponents says the stores were located in subordinance is a major blow Aids. Ricardo Munoz, (22nd) left, and Joe Moore (49th) to further retail develop- leading sponsors of the Big Box Living Wage ordinance, join rei urban areas. ment and job creation with- gious and anti-pover~ interests,in a march around City Hall the . . . . night before Its passage. 10 the City. This ordlOance The social implication of divided the races, unions and 1,000 times that of the majority of its paying low wages is far reaching. The City Hall. Opponents of the bill are posturing with legal challenges to the ordi- workforce. Wal-Mart's Chairman S. working poor cannot afford to purchase Robson Walton addressed the issue of a homes, pay for college or arrange for nance. "relatively flat" .stock price, despite quality health care services. record sales and earnings in their latest Mayor Richard M. Daley reportedly These same. corporations opposes the ordiare paying pennies for their nance in favor of products, by taking the jobs development. By a overseas, then add insult to 35-14 vote, his veto injury by offering thousands powers are ham--=Suzanne Hanney photo

~I'hc remains,

f:acL still loW' W'age

DON',.

payer in the end. Top jobs cost every tax- ~:~ executives garner millions of dollars per year to work at big box retailers and a small faction

o. ::... Jf,
L_n _

1,0:

~. --------------------~I
hours per week) $8,434.49/hour Average Full-time U.S. Wal-Mar Employee $9.68/hour

become super-rich. The core issue with -Thelma Andrews, second from left in front, leads a group from "the big business and social Ministers Coalition for Jobs and Prosperity in saying "don't box us Residents of Chicago want out." Andrews called Target and Wal-Mart "starter jobs for our impact rests in who is and need work. At a recent teenagers and women." really absorbing the (Suzanne Hanney photo) Evergreen Park Wal-Mart store cost of their businesses. opening, more than 25,000 Taxpayer supported annual report. The report further stated applied for 350 jobs. Wal-Mart food stamps, rental assistance, child care that" if we continue to focus on serving spokesman John Simley also told and health insurance are being used to our customers and taking care of our StreetWise that 12,000 people applied supplement low wage workers. associates, the stock should reach its for the 400 jobs at the West Side store appropriate valuation." still scheduled to open September 19. In the case ofWal-Mart, 38 per cent of Whether or not you support or oppose are institutheir 328,620 shareholders the ordinance, the question of social Supporting employees is critical for tions and nearly 40 per cent is held by every economy that big business peneresponsibility of big business begs to be the founding family members. The comanswered. trates. In cities such as Chicago, the cost pensation of Wal-Mart's CEO is nearly of living starts at $13 an hour. Supports P.\yR.rtloo~\Y/"M.ut (;to andU.$. send a clear message: WalMtlt envl~ "III W>llItf$ fOf Wal-Mart 2004 hourly pay responsible corporaW.tl-Mut $upplitf$ ~tf9!M$ tions must realize and Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott, Jr. recognize the need to do their part. (based on $17,543,739 per year, 40 Long-term tions of the remain to Wal-Mart President implicaordinance be seen. Sr. Vice of Store

'-.I. uuu ... dl111VI.- uc UUtsourced overseas. Big box retailers have threatened to pass costs on to consumers if required to pay higher hourly wages. This strategy sends a loud message from retailers: We want to keep the wealth with the corporation and shareholders . regardless of how it impacts the community. ~

residentsto be patient.''I'm notsayingthatit's a place that you can sit on your front porch withoutworry:'Citingthe economicdevelopment that is occurringin the neighborhood, Paolettiadded, "WhatI am tellingyou is that changeis comingto Englewood:' Paoletti left the meeting before the four demandsmadeby ACORNwereannounced: I. Directcellphonelinesto the police department at least40 in eachneighborhood, (citing the need for anonymityas land line callsexposeresidents'contactinformation) 2. Installationof an anonymoushotlineto contactthe policedepartment, 4 hours 2 per day and 7 daysa week, 3. Policeofficersvisiblywalkingand bikingin the Englewoodneighborhoods, 4. Randomtrafficstopsin an effortto detercrime. Other officialsin attendanceincludedstate Reps. Mary Flowers (D -31st), and Ken Dunkin(D- 5th),and stateSen.MattieHunter (D- 3rd). Notablymissingwerefiveof the six aldermenserving the Englewoodcommunity*. OnlyAldermanShirleyColemanof the 16th ward attended Wednesday's meeting, promptingangrycommentsfromcitizens. 'That's the interesttheyshowin our community," one attendee declared. Donna Roberts, co-chairperson of ACORN's Englewood Auburn Gresham District, was more forgiving."I'm givingthem the benefit of the doubt,due to the fact that we were all day downat City Hall,"Robertssaidin reference to the "big box livingwage" ordinance passedby the CityCouncilWednesday.'The nextonethatwe have,we'reexpectingthemto be here." Resentmentof Cline'sabsencewasunified, however. "If he's really interested in the Englewoodcommunity, hat's his problem?" w asked Roberts. She added that Cline alerted ACORNtwo days before the meetingto say that he wassendinga representative. In response,ACORNplansto conveneon policeheadquarters demanda meetingwith to Cline. The members will meet at Kennedy KingCollege,Thursday, ugust3 at 10 a.m.to A be busedto policeheadquarters.

"

Select Wal-Mart subcontractors:

Bangladesh China Indonesia Nicaragua Swaziland $0.17/hour $0.17 $0.46 $0.23 $0.53

Operations Michael Lewis said, "Chicago is closed for business, closed for development and closed for job creation." Lewis said that doing business in Chicago creates challenges with a "discriminatory marketplace and a com-

871:1
foM~

h~""m

Chi!>J

~JQ

n~\j)

$4;,:l.ir4

1).$. \fIJI.

~ ~ytt

-.- Del/dopng Coo~y SUIJpitf$ - -.

Source: Institute for Policy Studies

Source: Institute for Policy Studies