Daley Merges Departments to Save Cash, Avoids Serious Reform

By Kevin Robinson in News on Sep 2, 2010 2:30PM

In his on-going efforts to plug Chicago's budget hole, Mayor Daley announced Wednesday that he'll be merging some city departments in an effort to save money. The General Services and Graphics departments will be consolidated, the Zoning Department and Department of Community Development will be merged, as will be the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mayor's Office of Special Events.

Daley noted in a press conference that the city realized cost savings when it consolidated the Housing and Planning departments two years ago, although he was mum both on how many jobs will be affected and how much the city would be expected to save by the moves, which will take effect on January 1.

Speaking of incremental change, Daley also suggested that he might give back some of the money in his cherished Tax Increment Financing fund. Greg Hinz at Crain's Chicago Business cited sources in the city that say more than $150 million might be returned, although most of that is expected to go back to the schools.