Chicago Demands a Raise from Big-Box Retailers

The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance Wednesday requiring big-box retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Target, to pay a minimum wage of $10 an hour by 2010, and at least $3 an hour worth of benefits, according to The New York Times. The ordinance applies to stores of more than 90,000-sq.-ft. that gross more than $1 billion a year. Some retailers stated they would challenge the ruling. Wal-Mart, who will soon open a store on Chicago's West Side, said Chicago is now closed for further business opportunities. Proponents of the ordinance point out that Costco, a successful retailer, is already paying their employees at least $10 an hour plus benefits.The ordinance passed with a vote of 35 to 14.