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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chicago shuts down to save money | Chicago shuts down to save money |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Public services in the US city of Chicago have been shut down for a day as the authorities face an expected budget shortfall of some $300m (£184m). | Public services in the US city of Chicago have been shut down for a day as the authorities face an expected budget shortfall of some $300m (£184m). |
| Non-essential services such as rubbish collections, libraries and health centres were closed, in the first of three planned reduced service days. | Non-essential services such as rubbish collections, libraries and health centres were closed, in the first of three planned reduced service days. |
| City authorities hope the move, with workers taking an enforced unpaid holiday, will save an estimated $8.3m. | City authorities hope the move, with workers taking an enforced unpaid holiday, will save an estimated $8.3m. |
| Other cities in the US have already introduced similar measures. | Other cities in the US have already introduced similar measures. |
| The savings from Chicago's reduced service days are small compared with the overall deficit. | The savings from Chicago's reduced service days are small compared with the overall deficit. |
| But in a statement last week, Chicago's Mayor Richard M Daley thanked state employees for their "sacrifice". | But in a statement last week, Chicago's Mayor Richard M Daley thanked state employees for their "sacrifice". |
| "Every dollar we save from these measures helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain service for Chicagoans," he said. | "Every dollar we save from these measures helps to save jobs, and in the long-term, maintain service for Chicagoans," he said. |
| "This plan engages most civilian employees to accept cuts and to be part of the solution to our budget crisis." | "This plan engages most civilian employees to accept cuts and to be part of the solution to our budget crisis." |
| Two more reduced service days have been scheduled - one for 27 November, the day after Thanksgiving and another for Christmas Eve, 24 December. | Two more reduced service days have been scheduled - one for 27 November, the day after Thanksgiving and another for Christmas Eve, 24 December. |
| Workers have also been asked to take a series of unpaid days off and holidays without salary. | Workers have also been asked to take a series of unpaid days off and holidays without salary. |
| Chicago is one of a number of US cities and states to introduce closures and furlough days to address deficits. | Chicago is one of a number of US cities and states to introduce closures and furlough days to address deficits. |
| In California, which has a budget deficit of some $24.3bn (£14.5bn) and has declared a fiscal emergency, state offices have been ordered to close for three days each month. | In California, which has a budget deficit of some $24.3bn (£14.5bn) and has declared a fiscal emergency, state offices have been ordered to close for three days each month. |
| Michigan has said it will not pay its state employees on six days up to the end of September, to save nearly $22m. | Michigan has said it will not pay its state employees on six days up to the end of September, to save nearly $22m. |