Chicago Government Closes Its Doors 'Til Tuesday
Ria Misra
Contributor
Posted:
08/17/09
Since the recession hit, many businesses have found themselves forced to cut back their operations or even close up shop. Add one more name to the list: the city of Chicago.
Chicago's CBS2 reports that, faced with an increasingly grim economic outlook, the city is shutting its doors today for one of three reduced-service days scheduled this year. Police officers and firefighters remain on duty -- but most other city services, including municipal health clinics, trash pick-up and City Hall, are not in operation.
Chicago isn't the only local government looking at creative ways out of its budgetary hole. Before California legislators hammered out a budget compromise late last month, the state was broke and forced to issue IOUs instead of checks.
Just last month, Chicago officials warned that they could end up more than $500 million in debt this year. And even with Monday's shutdown and additional furloughs scheduled, city officials still expect to be about $300 million in the red.
Chicago's CBS2 reports that, faced with an increasingly grim economic outlook, the city is shutting its doors today for one of three reduced-service days scheduled this year. Police officers and firefighters remain on duty -- but most other city services, including municipal health clinics, trash pick-up and City Hall, are not in operation.
Chicago isn't the only local government looking at creative ways out of its budgetary hole. Before California legislators hammered out a budget compromise late last month, the state was broke and forced to issue IOUs instead of checks.
Just last month, Chicago officials warned that they could end up more than $500 million in debt this year. And even with Monday's shutdown and additional furloughs scheduled, city officials still expect to be about $300 million in the red.