Money offered if G8 closes businesses

CHICAGO, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says compensation is available for businesses that may be forced to close during the Group of Eight and NATO summits in May.

The city's host committee stressed the offer will not apply to businesses that decide, on their own, to close, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday

Committee spokeswoman Jennifer Martinez said Chicago officials are working with the U.S. Secret Service, but the current plan is for all businesses to remain open during the summits May 19-21 at the lakefront McCormick Place exposition center

Emanuel, who has touted the summits as an economic development opportunity, said the inconvenience of the summits, expected to attract thousands of journalists and protesters, is outweighed by the benefits for the city.

DePaul University has relocated its law school commencement that weekend and said it would close its Loop Campus May 18-21 because of the summits.