Chicago closing offices to balance budget

CHICAGO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Chicago closed City Hall and public libraries and shut down or reduced services in many offices for a day Monday to help balance the budget.

The city said in a news release offices offering essential city services would remain open but with minimum staffing, the Chicago Tribune said.

Cutbacks did not apply to public safety providers, including police and firefighters, officials said.

Two additional reduced-service days have been scheduled for the Friday following Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the Tribune reported.

The Chicago Sun-Times said the three reduced-service days, which also include a temporary stoppage of garbage collection, are expected to save the city $8.3 million.