Wal-Mart Welcomed in Chicago — Sort Of

According to a report in Crain's Chicago Business, a group representing manufacturers on Chicago's West Side has dropped its objections to a proposed new Wal-Mart in an otherwise industrial neighborhood.

While the group said it would have preferred a manufacturing use for the site — an industrial corridor along the 1600 block of N. Kilpatrick Ave. — “we've accepted it and we're going to work with it,” according to James Lemonides, ceo of the Greater North-Pulaski Development Corp. Lemonides acknowledged that “he hasn't heard a peep of complaint from the group's members,” according to Crain's.

Lemonides said he hoped the store, which is expected to bring in 250 jobs, will provide management-track positions to local residents. However, several unions, which argue that Wal-Mart will destroy union jobs, continue their vow to block the retailer's plan to open a store in the neighborhood.