Plastic Bags Banned Starting August 1 in Chicago

Say good-bye to plastic shopping bags in Chicago.

"Paper or Plastic?" will no longer be a question in the city of Chicago. No longer will the people of Chicago be picking up dog poop with plastic shopping bags. Well, I don't know about that... but I assume?

ABC7Chicago reports that Chicago is the new ban on plastic shopping bags will go into effect starting August 1, 2015. Retailers that occupy more than 10,000 square feet will no longer be able to offer plastic bags by this date.

If stores do not comply, the fines run between $300 and $500 each time the ordinance is violated.

Smaller chain stores and franchises will need to make the change to paper by August 2016. Small independent or non-franchise stores and restaurants will not be required to make the transition.