"I think these people have really sincere concerns," says plan commission member Nancy A. Pacher, president and chief operating officer of US Equities Realty. She noted complaints of low wages and hours at Wal-Mart stores, as well as a pattern of small businesses being driven out by the opening of one of the Bentonville, AR-based retailer's 4,500 outlets. "That would be a travesty."

However, blocking Wal-Mart's entry into the highly unionized city would be harmful to the local economy, argued Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jerry Roper. The $6-million project on the border the Austin and West Humboldt Park communities will generate $600,000 a year in property and sales tax revenue, Roper says. More importantly, Wal-Mart spent $2.4 billion with Chicago-based vendors, he adds.

"We'd like this to continue, because it creates jobs beyond Wal-Mart," Roper says. "Bringing such a company to Chicago should be encouraged. It's a much better headline than Chicago losing a company."

Wal-Mart is buying a 10-acre site bounded by North, Kilpatrick and Grand avenues from the Highland Park-based Goldstein family limited partnership. Zoned for manufacturing use, the property now includes three vacant buildings that will be demolished.

Opponents from labor, community and religious groups argued Wal-Mart pays wages below those paid by its competitors. Although a West Side Wal-Mart promises to bring 250 jobs to the community, opponents claim full-time earnings would amount to less than $14,000 a year.

"You're asking us to be the National Labor Relations Board," 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus told one student activist. "You're taking advantage of the fact the city of Chicago has more of an open hearing process than the federal government."

Instant Insights /

Wal-Mart Planning First Chicago Store

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