Dominick’s closings spur Chicago task force

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is forming a city task force after the announcement that dozens of Dominick’s stores in the Chicago area will close.

The Chicago mayor made the announcement on Thursday. He says the task force will address the economic impact of the grocery store closings. It will also look at marketing the vacant stores, ensuring food access and helping grocery workers.

Safeway Inc. said in October that it would stop operating 72 Dominick’s stores in the Chicago area. Roundy’s Inc. said Monday that it would buy 11 Dominick’s stores in the metro area and change them to Mariano’s groceries.

Deputy Mayor Steve Koch is to chair the new task force, which begins work immediately.