The sponsor of a measure to ban Chicago retailers from using plastic bags says he has the votes to get it approved by the city council.

The Sun-Times reports Alderman "Proco" Joe Moreno introduced a new version of the ban at Wednesday's council meeting. He says "It's time to move."

Moreno pushed a measure last year that prohibited Chicago retailers larger than 5,000 square feet from putting merchandise in plastic bags. The proposal faltered amid opposition from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Moreno's latest version extends the ban to smaller retailers.  He says the ban is good for the environment.

Emanuel's office hasn't taken a position.

But the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says the ban is essentially a "hidden tax" because paper bags cost three times more than plastic.

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