Chicago shuts down for a day to save money

Public services in the US city of Chicago have been shut down for a day as the authorities face an expected budget shortfall of some $300 mn (£184 mn). Non-essential services such as rubbish collections, libraries and health centres were closed, in the first of three planned reduced service days.

City authorities hope the move, with workers taking an enforced unpaid holiday, will save an estimated $8.3m. The savings from Chicago’s reduced service days are small compared with the overall deficit. But in a statement last week, Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley thanked employees for their “sacrifice”.

“Every dollar we save from these measures helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain service for Chicagoans,” he said. “This plan engages most civilian employees to accept cuts and to be part of the solution.”

Two more reduced service days have been scheduled — one for the day after Thanksgiving and another for Christmas Eve. Workers have also been asked to take a series of unpaid days off and holidays without salary.