The alliance of just over 200 ministers, representing more than 100,000 congregants, will first demand that Mayor Richard M. Daley grant administrative approval to begin construction of a Wal-Mart at the Chatham Market shopping center, saving that project from falling into foreclosure. The group also will pressure aldermen to approve that store and others in retail-starved neighborhoods such as Englewood and Pullman.

If, as appears likely, more Wal-Marts don’t get the green light this year, the ministers say they’ll mount a campaign against aldermen who oppose the big retailer’s expansion. Taking a page from union groups that have held Wal-Mart back, the ministers say they will support candidates in favor of the store with political advertising and urge their congregants to vote against dissenters.

Next February’s aldermanic election is the latest roadblock standing in the way of a second Wal-Mart store in Chicago.

For years, the excuse to block Wal-Mart was Chicago’s bid for the Summer Olympics: “We can’t possibly upset the unions,” aldermen cried. “That could hurt Chicago’s chances for the Olympics.”

Now, it’s the election: “We can’t possibly upset organized labor. They could hurt us next February.”

Each day we get closer to February 2011, the odds of a second Wal-Mart diminish. Even more reason to act — and act now.

Continue reading this article in the Chicago Sun-Times

Instead of forcing the issue on a proposed Chatham Wal-Mart at 83rd and Stewart — now bottled up in the City Council’s Finance Committee — Beale wants aldermen to vote first on Pullman Park.

The massive mixed-use project on the former Ryerson Steel property between 103rd and 111th along the Bishop Ford Freeway would be anchored by a Wal-Mart Supercenter that sells groceries desperately needed in the heart of a “food desert.”

The 270-acre project also includes 1,200 homes, a hotel tower, community recreation center, park and senior apartments.

CHICAGO, Illinois, January 27, 2010 – Chicago Urban League received a $75,000 contribution to assist with their NULITES program. The grant – which was given to the non-profit organization through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will help seventh and eighth graders strengthen their academic, financial, and social development.

“NULITES provides a valuable resource to students and their parents in the Englewood community. Students have the opportunity to work cooperatively to enhance their educational experience and gain leadership skills that they can carry with them throughout their academic careers. They also learn the importance of giving back to their community, which is something the Chicago Urban League encourages in all of our programs,” said Herman Brewer, Acting President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.

John Bisio of Walmart presented the $75,000 donation at Mays Academy. The grant was presented to Herman Brewer, President/CEO of Chicago Urban League, and Mays Academy Principal Dr. Patricia McCann during a check presentation at the Chicago school.

The NULITES program meets once a week during the school year, and encompasses quarterly community service projects, quarterly field trips and monthly parent meetings. While operating in three schools, the program will serve approximately 30 students per school for a total of 90 students

Through the program, educational workshops are conducted that work with students on academic skills including reading and math, test taking strategies, study skills and time management; financial literacy workshops that include basic budgeting and credit management; and conflict resolution activities. A part of the success of students relies on parental involvement. Through monthly parents’ meetings at the cooperating schools, the program enables entire households to increase career and educational achievements.

“The Walmart Foundation is very pleased to be supporting the Chicago Urban League and their NULITES program, and are committed to helping students and their families in the communities where we serve,” said Bisio. “Through this grant, we are hopeful that these students can benefit and succeed in both their school and home life.”

The contribution to the Chicago Urban League was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s Illinois State Giving Program (SGP). Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.

Last year, Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations and the Walmart Foundation, through the Illinois State Giving Program, gave more than $14 million to local organizations such as Special Olympics Illinois and the Illinois Food Bank Association. In Illinois, a team of local associates determine needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.

To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Eligible applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.

From February 2008 through January 2009, the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts, an $85.6 million increase over its global giving in the previous year. Walmart’s FYE 2009 giving breakdown:

• In the U.S., Walmart gave more than $378 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $296 million in 2007.
• In international markets, Walmart gave $45.5 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $41 million in 2007.
• Globally, Walmart’s customers and associates gave more than $106 million through in-store giving programs that benefit local charities.
• In total, Walmart, its Foundations, its customers and its associates supported communities around the globe with nearly $530 million in charitable contributions during FYE 2009.

Pictured: Delisa Carter, Leslie Drish (Director of Education, Chicago Urban League), Shamirah Binns, Diamond Brown, Leslie Bardo (Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Chicago Urban League), Yakerria Lanford, Akia Shipman, John Bisio (Director of Public Affairs, Walmart), Dr. Patricia McCann (Principal Mays Academy), Lemont Walker, Alderman Beale, Cedric Griffin, Irving Collier, Sherwin Whitaker (Program Manager Chicago Urban League), Dominique Mason.

###

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

About the Chicago Urban League
Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League is a civil rights organization that empowers and inspires individuals to reach and exceed their economic potential. The Chicago Urban League supports and advocates for economic, educational and social progress for African-Americans through our agenda focused exclusively on economic empowerment as the key driver for social change. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org and www.DriveChangeNow.org.

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports Wal-Mart’s efforts to build a supercenter store at 83rd Street and Stewart Avenue as well as at other locations throughout the city. As corporations continue to downsize and outsource jobs overseas, Wal-Mart’s commitment to create jobs while providing city residents access to badly needed food and other products at low prices should be applauded and fully supported.

The debate over whether Wal-Mart should be allowed to build additional stores in Chicago has gone on long enough and has been most recently reduced to efforts to cater to the interests of a handful of groups and individuals, while the needs of unemployed Chicagoans continue to be ignored. This is almost shameful, especially when we consider that many other retailers who operate in our city have never been challenged on their employment and wage practices.

One important item that is almost completely lost in much of the senseless rhetoric against Wal-Mart is the outstanding positive impact that Wal-Mart has supporting other businesses to create jobs, including Hispanic-owned small businesses. In 2009 alone, Wal-Mart spent almost $20 Billion buying merchandise and services from 2,772 suppliers in the state of Illinois, supporting more than 165,000 jobs in our state. Part of Wal-Mart’s spending with suppliers in Illinois goes to Hispanic businesses that have become part of the Wal-Mart supply chain over the last several years. Wal-Mart’s commitment to local and minority suppliers is unparalleled in the industry and its efforts to increase the level of participation of Hispanic, minority and local suppliers should be supported.

—Omar Duque, president and CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Click here to read on the Chicago Tribune

I, too, got the e-mail saying that Wal-Mart had caused the closure of businesses because of its presence in the Austin community. I, too, looked at the report that was prepared by individuals from both Loyola University and UIC to back up that assertion. After looking at all the facts, figures, dots and dashes, I concluded that I am neither a mathematician nor a statistician.

But I am a “common-sense-tician” who must have been on another planet to have missed the devastation to my community that the report concluded. Especially since I pride myself on noticing situations and bringing them to the forefront before anyone else. So to hear that jobs were lost and businesses closed due to Wal-Mart’s presence right under my nose was unsettling.

Read the rest of this article in Austin Weekly News

Click here to read the report (Adobe PDF, 600 KB)

Chicago should open its arms to Wal-Mart just as the suburbs do, Mayor Richard Daley said today.

“These questions are not debated in the suburban area,” he said. “They are never even talked about.”

The mayor was responding to a failed attempt by Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, the influential Finance Committee chairman, to force the mega-retailer and other smaller operators to pay a higher minimum wage in the city if they receive any type of city subsidy.

Click here to read the rest of this article