Socialist Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Wants to Open Taxpayer-Funded City-Owned Grocery Stores

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) is exploring the idea of establishing city-owned grocery stores in neighborhoods where businesses have withdrawn due to high crime rates.

Johnson has revealed a partnership with the Economic Security Project to investigate the feasibility of opening city-run grocery stores. The initial step in this collaboration involves conducting a feasibility study, although no specific timeline has been provided, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Johnson expressed his commitment to implementing innovative, comprehensive government strategies to address these disparities.

In a statement, the mayor asserted that all Chicago residents should have access to convenient, affordable, and healthy grocery options. He acknowledged that many residents, particularly on the South and West sides, already struggle with limited grocery store access. He emphasized his administration's dedication to pioneering government approaches to rectify these inequalities.

Ameya Pawar, a senior adviser at the Economic Security Project, likened the proposal to the operation of libraries or postal services.

Pawar stated that the city of Chicago is reimagining the role of government in people's lives by considering a public option for grocery stores through municipally owned establishments. He compared this concept to the economic choices and empowerment offered by services like libraries and the postal system.

This partnership emerges in response to the closure of numerous large retailers in Chicago, such as Walmart, which shut down four of its remaining eight stores in April. Other businesses like Walgreens and Aldi have also closed stores in the city.

While smaller municipalities have experimented with city-owned grocery stores, this endeavor in Chicago would be on a much larger scale.

Despite Police Chief Umi Grisby's assurance that no taxpayer dollars would be used, Mayor Johnson's office clarified that the stores would be funded through grants from state and federal tax funds.

One South Side Chicago resident commented on the situation, saying that as all local stores are closing, Mayor Johnson's initiative is bridging the gap left by large store chains.

In contrast, prominent Chicago restaurateur Sam Sanchez argued that the stores would run at a financial loss, ultimately wasting taxpayer money. Sanchez maintained that addressing crime is the key to attracting businesses.

This is straight up socialism. These city owned supermarkets would get robbed just like the privately owned ones. Over time, this program may become financially unsustainable and susceptible to corruption.