There's a bold message being sent from the Chicago City Council that is reverberating across the U.S. this week.

The message: American cities and towns can survive without Wal-Mart.

Or, at least, some are trying to.

Chicago's City Council passed an ordinance Wednesday that would require all big-box retailers, including Wal-Mart, to pay workers "living wages" if they want to do business in the area. Stores of at least 90,000 square feet and with over $1 billion in annual sales now must pay at least $10 an hour plus $3 in fringe benefits by mid-2010. The goal is to force billion-dollar companies to spread the wealth among its workers.

And although Chicago is not the first city to take such a risk -- San Francisco; Albuquerque; Santa Fe, N.M.; and Washington all have similar laws -- the city is going head-to-head with retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot over the new requirements.

No one can deny the financial power and potential development a store like Wal-Mart can bring to any community. The City Council's decision to raise the minimum wage for big-box retailers is a victory for blue-collar and low-income workers, however.

As Wal-Mart tightens its grip on American communities, it's time for government officials, local or otherwise, to recognize what is going on and stand up for the residents who are employed by these multi-billion dollar corporations.

A starting wage of $7.25 at Wal-Mart, while higher than the federal minimum wage of $5.15, is not enough coming from a company that claims to care about the communities it inhabits.

Concerns over a loss of job opportunities in the Chicago area are certainly rational. In fact, Wal-Mart spokesmen have practically come out and said that the store will look elsewhere for where to build new stores.

But as small businesses in that area breathe a collective sigh of relief, residents in Chicago and every other American city should also recognize what is happening and what this it means.

No community should have to depend on Wal-Mart for its survival.

We just might need proof from Chicago before we believe it can happen.