Vote4Chatham's Blog

In March 2008, the City of Chicago declined the request to allow Wal-Mart to build a store in the Chatham Market development site off of 83rd Street just west of the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago’s South Side. . Over a year later, the Chatham Market retail development on stills stands primarily empty. The opening of the do-it-yourself home improvement giant Lowe’s has not been successful in attracting other retailers. The community is left anxious as it hopes for a vibrant retail source that offers affordable & accessible shopping and jobs.

As of May 2009, unemployment has risen to 10.6% and is at a 25 year peak. The economic downturn is touching ground level of communities across the country and Chatham is no exception. The opportunity has arisen for the community to take their own stand and demonstrate their support of Alderman Howard Brookins in an appeal to the City Council to repeal the clause in the Chatham Market redevelopment agreement. The approval would signal the communities’ interest to invest their time and efforts to secure economic development for their community. Their collective action to advocate for jobs would also be a signal to organized labor that there is more than one voice for workers and economic development in their community.

Alderman Brookins in March 2008 stated, “If they want to fight and press forward with this thing, I’m willing to do it. I just don’t want to be out there on my own. Wal-Mart does have faults, but I want what’s best for my community.”

Community is what matters and is what it at stake right now. Due to the economic times and the communities’ sincere desire to revitalize a site that has been neglected for so many years, the time is now for the community to determine development. The economic environment has created urgency among local elected officials to respond to the increasing number of unemployed in their community. The community is poised and looking for smart and transparent leadership that demonstrates growth and prosperity for the future. A retailer, such as Wal-Mart, who has the experience and record to offer jobs and benefits is exactly what the Chatham community has been ready to receive. The Wal-Mart store success in the Austin community is evidence of the positive impact Chatham can expect.

The time is now for Chatham and the South Side to contact their Alderman and encourage their vote on June 30th at City Council.