IN CHICAGO, Budget Cuts Force Day Off Monday for Many City Services!
FACING BUDGET SHORTFALL, CHICAGO TO SHUT MANY NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR ONE DAY - AUGUST 17TH!
What's going on here? Here, in Chicago?
While walking by the Sulzer Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library, near the Dean's Team Chicago World Headquarters on Lincoln and Sunnyside Avenues in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood of Chicago, a paper notice in the glass door announced a day closed -
Monday, August 17th.
A national holiday? A day of mourning? Mayor Rich Daley's Birthday?
No - just a way for the city to attempt to reduce by over $8 Million it's budget deficit for 2009. August 17th is one of three unpaid days off for city workers to cut a bit of payroll. The other mandatory off days for all non-emergency city employees - the Friday after Thanksgiving, on November 27th, and Thursday, Christmas Eve. See the details via the City of Chicago Official Website - CityOfChicago.org.
Originally, the August 17th day off was due to be taken on Thursday, New Years Eve. But the Chicago City Council changed the day earlier, with one reason given to allow employees with children to enjoy a warm-weather summer day with their kids before Chicago Public Schools are back in session.
What is "non-essential" - and closed on Monday?
The libraries, of course. Public Health Clinics in Chicago Neighborhoods will also be closed. As will City Hall and most Chicago satellite offices. There will be no garbage pick up on Monday, and no street cleaning - both moved one day back to Tuesday.
Police, Fire, and other emergency personnel will not be reduced, according to the City of Chicago.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
