Chicago Prohibits Plastic Bags at Retail Chains

The Chicago City Council has reportedly passed, 36-10, a ban on plastic bags
at chain stores (i.e., at least three locations with the same owner) beginning
in August 2015 for those larger than 10,000 square feet and August 2016 for
smaller establishments. The prohibition follows several months of debate
on the measure, with environmental advocates contending that the ban will
reduce the number of bags littering the city and store owners arguing that
more expensive paper bags will lead to higher prices. See Chicago Tribune,
April 30, 2014.

Issue 522