Chicago shuts down to save money

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. 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. The savings from Chicago's reduced service days are small compared with the overall deficit.