By Gayle S. Putrich
STAFF REPORTER
Published: April 24, 2014 7:11 pm ET
Updated: April 24, 2014 7:25 pm ET
Chicago is poised to become the next major U.S. city to enact a ban on single-use plastic bags after a City Council committee vote on April 24.
The Health and Environmental Protection Committee voted to approve an ordinance that would ban bags from most retailers by the summer of 2015.
The matter now goes to the full council for consideration at its April 30 meeting, where it is expected to be approved.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel reiterated his support for the renegotiated version of the ban, which would now affect chain and franchise stores but not independent stores and restaurants. Beginning in August 2015 chain stores — defined as a group of three or more locations with the same owner—and franchise stores of more than 10,000 square feet. Smaller chains and franchises would have another year to phase out the bags.
Independent stores and restaurants would be exempt. All stores would have to provide or sell reusable bags, recyclable paper bags or a compostable plastic bags and have the option of charging for the disposable bags.
Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno has spent more than two years spearheading the anti-bag effort in Chicago.
“Today for Chicago is a historic day in terms of our environment and moving into a new economy,” Moreno told the Chicago Sun-Times. “These bags are a relic of yesterday’s economy. There is no evidence—none, zero — from any country, state or city that has enacted similar bans of any job loss of any business loss.” | 
