Chicago Business Community Statement on Passage of Ordinance Restricting ‘Small-Box Retailers’

On Feb. 21, the Chamber released a joint statement about the city's passage of a restriction on "small-box stores" - defined as stores offering goods that are largely marketed at less than $5 - from opening within one mile of another dollar store owned by the same company.

Our statement: "Today, the city of Chicago wrote another chapter in its ongoing narrative of hostility to retailers, passing a misguided proposal that will address a problem in one ward while depriving residents of many other wards convenient access to affordable necessities. This sets a dangerous precedent for future job growth in Chicago. This was all avoidable and will severely limit opportunities for new economic development in communities where those investments are needed most."

- Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

- Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

- Illinois Retail Merchants Association