Prompted by racial and ethnic violence directed against grocers in various cities, the city of Chicago proposed that grocers be required to pay a $20 fee for a sensitivity training course at a local college that would include lectures on "Valuing Diversity in Chicago," "Chicago—Who Lives Here and How Do We All Get Along" and "Good Customer Service Is Good Business." According to Alderman Eugene Shulter, "Some of these businessmen need to have a greater understanding of the cultural differences in our great city, and have a greater appreciation of them."

Philip Fazio, president of the Illinois Food Retail Merchants Association, criticized the proposal and told the Chicago Tribune that the public hearing on the issue occurred without the knowledge of any grocers he knew of. "These regulations are silly," he said. "If you don't treat your customers well, you won't be in business. But telling people to go to school is ridiculous." The city eventually abandoned its plans as "too ambitious," but Shulter said there were now plans to put together a video of the course that would be broadcast over cable television and be available for rent. "We want to help these businessmen help themselves," he said.

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