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Dear Matt:
Dollar Tree, Inc., the corporate entity that operates Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Stores, recently announced plans to open a Dollar Tree location at 11055 S. Western Ave. This corporation operates four other locations in our community, each of which creates public safety or quality of life problems for our community. For years I have tried to work collaboratively with Dollar Tree at the local and corporate levels to address these issues with nothing to show for it.
Dollar Tree, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation backed largely by private-equity firms. They reported a net income of $1.6 billion last year, an increase of 21.7% from 2021. At these profit levels, there is simply no excuse for conditions of their stores.
Given their long history of irresponsible operations in our community, I have asked Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) to explore any legal options possible to deny a business license application for this user at this location. Should there be no legal basis for denial, I have asked that the department impose a plan of operation on the company that would encompass all locations in the 19th Ward so that we have greater legal authority to address any problems that may arise from their operations.
As I write this message the façade and gutters at the Dollar Tree at 106th & Pulaski Rd. is falling off the building, representing a series public safety risk to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. On June 2, 2015, I publicly opposed Dollar Tree at this location. Since then, my concerns have been validated time and time again. Dollar Tree is a bad operator that has been squeezing profits out our community for years with little regard to the problems they create. It is my hope that by working with BACP we are able to finally hold them accountable.
Below, please find the full text of my letter to BACP about this issue, as well as a small sample of the photos that residents routinely submit to my office regarding these businesses. Moving forward, I will keep you apprised of any further developments.
Sincerely,
Matthew J. O'Shea
Alderman, 19th Ward
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