Chicago considers requiring 'Living wage' for retailers at airports

O'Hare and Midway Airport retailers would be required to pay their 1,500 employees a "living wage" of $11.18-an-hour - even if it means raising the sky-high prices they charge their captive audience of air travelers - under a plan that's gaining political steam.

During a rally before Wednesday's City Council meeting, 18 aldermen stood shoulder-to-shoulder with members of Unite Here Local 1 to support an ordinance timed to coincide with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's concession makeover at both airports. It would close a legal loophole that has allowed airport concessionaires to avoid paying the "living wage" long applied to city contractors. Fran Spielman