Monday Is A Reduced Service Day For City

This Monday, August 17, is the first of what will probably be many "reduced service days" for the City of Chicago as it tries to save money in the face of a growing budget deficit. What does this mean for you, the average person who probably has to go to work anyway? According to a release sent out by the city earlier this week, and available for viewing here:

City Hall, public libraries, health clinics, and most city offices will be closed.

Most services not directly related to public safety will not be provided on that day, including refuse pickup. However, all public safety services, including police and fire, will remain at full strength and will not be impacted by the reduced-service day.

According to the City, they plan to save $8.3 million through these reduced service days. Said Mayor Daley, via the statement, "Every dollar we save from these measures helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain services for Chicagoans. 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 sacrifice."