Wal-Mart Makes Strong Push Into Chicago

Wal-Mart launched a public-relations campaign ahead of a City Council committee vote later this week, vowing to build "several dozen stores" and create 12,000 jobs in Chicago over the next five years. The announcement was the first time Wal-Mart has provided specifics on its goals for store openings, job creation and tax revenue. But the City Council has yet to take any action on approving Chicago's second Wal-Mart store. Wal-Mart has been thwarted in its push to grow in Chicago for six years. A weakened economy and high unemployment rates have swayed dozens of ministers here to reverse their stance and start supporting the opening of Wal-Mart stores on the city's South Side.