Chicago Shuts Down To Save Cash

The City of Chicago will be shutting down early for the Christmas holiday, as part of Mayor Daley's plan to save the cash-strapped city money.City Hall, public libraries, health clinics and most other city offices will be closed on Christmas Eve as those city workers are being forced to take the day off without pay.Police and Fire Department operations are not affected and will remain fully staffed. Any other worker needed to provide for the public's safety will also be on the job.As part of the 2009 budget, three reduced-service days were planned for 2009: Aug. 17, the Friday after Thanksgiving; and Christmas Eve. The city expects to save $8.3 million. "Every dollar we save from these measures helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain services for Chicagoans," Mayor Daley said in a statement. "This plan relies on most of our civilian employees to be part of the solution to our very serious budget challenges. I want to thank them again for their efforts."In addition to the reduced service days, all non-union employees were asked to take a series of furlough days and unpaid holidays in 2009, which are expected to continue throughout 2010. Most non-sworn union employees agreed to take similar unpaid time off. There are no reduced-service days scheduled for 2010.
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