Chad, I agree that wages below the costs of living would likely encourage people to leave Chicago. But I don't know if that is a good thing or bad thing. First many of people that might be encouraged to leave have family in Chicago. For poor people, extended families have economic as well as sentimental importance. For example, a women may depend on her mother for free childcare. Second, poor people often lack their own transportation, as Louis notes. Some poor people may depend on public transportation. Rural areas do not usually have such dependable and affordable public transportation. Finally, areas outside of Chicago may not have even less employment opportunities.
I can't say you're wrong. Walmart will have less new jobs, due to this minimum wage law. However, I think it is worth noting that it is difficult to live on less than $10 an hour in Chicago.
Moreover, I don't know that workers find a -$10 wage acceptable as much as they feel compelled by need to accept it.
