Aldermen have approved Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s $6.2 billion budget amid worries over the economy.
Aldermen have approved Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s $6.2 billion budget amid worries over the economy. The budget, approved 49-1 on Wednesday, calls for as many as 635 layoffs, selling city assets and new fees and taxes. It requires the hiring of fewer police officers, but stipulates that no officers or firefighters will lose their jobs. The city also won’t fill 1,600 vacant positions. Daley’s administration also plans to lease city parking meters to a private company, increase library fines and charge a new fee on dumpsters used by businesses and multi-unit apartment buildings. Alderman Billy Ocasio cast the lone dissenting vote. He says most of the layoffs affect "people who do the work and get paid the least." AP ______ Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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