On the same day Democrats said they will host their 2024 convention in Chicago, Walmart announced the closure of four stores in the city due to soaring losses.
"Collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago," a statement from the company published Tuesday said. "These stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year."
The losses have "nearly doubled in just the last five years," Walmart added. Soaring crime in the city is forcing other companies to flee Chicago. Tyson Foods, Boeing, Citadel, and Caterpillar have all moved or are in the process of moving.
Crime and lax punishments are forcing companies and jobs out of Chicago. The homicide rate has skyrocketed nearly 40 percent since 2019, watchdog Wirepoints reported. More than 800 murders occurred in Chicago in 2021, the most in a quarter-century.
Democrats on Tuesday announced their decision to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, pointing to the city’s unions and pro-choice policies as reasons for the pick.
The convention will take place next year between Aug. 19 and 22 at the McCormick Place Convention Center and United Center. At least 5,000 delegates and alternatives will attend the event.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D., Ill.)said the event will be held at a "union facility" and "union hotels."
The city's crime has surged under George Soros-funded district attorney Kim Foxx, who has been accused of letting violent criminals off easy. Foxx in January refused to bring charges against a felon who killed one person and wounded another in a shootout.
The county Foxx oversees, Cook County, has seen a 27 percent fall in convictions and a 54 percent jump in dismissed cases, the Legal Defense Fund found.
Amid the crime surge, Chicago voters elected a far-left "Defund the Police" candidate this month. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was the only candidate to not support filling the city’s 1,600 police officer vacancies.
Illinois ranks second in the nation for most residents leaving, with one resident leaving the state every 3 minutes and 43 seconds.