City Council members moved forward on a proposal that would mandate big box employers to provide a substantive payout to frontline employees during the pandemic.
The ordinance, requested by Ald. Devon Reid (8th), would require retailers with over 500 employees nationwide to retroactively pay essential Evanston workers an additional $6 for every hour worked during Phases 1 through 3 of the state’s Restore Illinois program, and $3.50 for every hour worked through Phase 4.
The proposal was brought to City Council only two weeks after Reid first requested the ordinance. City staff declined to issue a recommendation on whether the ordinance should proceed, citing a lack of time to conduct research and analysis or solicit public input.
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The Chicago area watched in horror last summer as hundreds of looters descended on Chicago and some suburbs, smashing windows, ransacking stores and stealing merchandise with abandon.
But a year later, an analysis of court records by NBC 5 Investigates indicates only a few dozen cases have made it through the courts and only a handful of defendants have drawn terms in prison. Don t miss local breaking news and weather! Download our mobile app for iOS or Android and sign up for alerts.
The outbreaks of violence in May and August were closely linked to the timing of developments in the death of George Floyd, who died at the hands of police in Minneapolis May 25. But in contrast with the largely peaceful protests that took place in cities across America, those taking part in the looting episodes in Chicago were seen by most observers as opportunists who engaged in criminal activity with little regard for the larger issues of racial justi
(The Center Square) – Government officials, business leaders and policy experts convened Wednesday for Business Day 2021.
The virtual event was hosted by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Manufacturers Association and allowed for discussions on issues affecting jobs and economic growth in Illinois.
“It is simply a way to keep them informed of what is going on, and still give them the opportunity to hear from their elected officials and with the discussions, hear about what is going on with some of the major issues,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of IRMA.
One topic of discussion is Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to close $932 million of what he called “corporate tax loopholes” to help the state balance its budget, just as cities and states gear up to attract jobs and strengthen the economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans have said the tax incentives are an important tool for attracting and retaining businesses.