Emanuel names members of grocery task force

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced the members of a task force to assess the impact of the closure of dozens of Dominick's grocery stores.

Parent company Safeway Inc. said in October it would stop operating 72 Dominick's stores in the Chicago area by the end of the year. Only a few of the stores have been bought by competitors.

The task force will be headed by Deputy Mayor Steven Koch.

Its members include aldermen, development officials, community advocates, labor leaders and food industry consultants.

They will concentrate on ensuring people have access to fresh food and vegetables and supporting workers affected by the closings. The panel will also look at marketing the vacant stores in an attempt to return them to operation as grocery stores.

The members of the task force are:

The members of the task force are:

Steven Koch, deputy mayor, City of Chicago.

Andrew Mooney, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, City of Chicago.

Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward.

Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward.

Ald. Patrick O'Connor, 40th Ward.

Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson, assistant pastor of Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church and executive director of Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Jorge Ramirez, president, Chicago Federation of Labor. He was formerly executive director of the UFCW union representing Dominick's workers. Steve Powell, secretary treasurer, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881 and international vice president of the UFCW.

Mike Mallon, principal, dkmallon, a food industry consulting firm. Mallon is a former vice president at both Jewel/Osco and Dominick's.

Joel Bookman, principal, Bookman Associations, a community development consulting firm.

Craig Chico, executive director of Back of the Yards Council.

Carlos Nelson, executive director of Auburn Gresham Community Development Corp.

Frank Petruziello, principal, the Skilken Co.

Angel Gutierrez, vice president of Community Development and Outreach Services, Catholic Charities Chicago.