Chicago Passes Landmark Big Box Bill

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

After hours of heated debate, Chicago's city council last week passed historic legislation that will require "big-box" stores in the city to pay workers a living wage and benefits. Stores that are at least 90,000 square feet and whose parent companies have over $1 billion in annual sales will have to pay at least $10 an hour in wages plus another $3 in fringe benefits by July 2010. The District of Columbia is poised to become the second city to pass such legislation. Councilmember Phil Mendelson introduced a similar piece of legislation last fall. The DC "Large Retailer Accountability Act," which would require stores of over 75,000 square feet to pay a living wage, is waiting for a vote in the Committee on Government Operations.

- reported by Mackenzie Baris