Due next month, plan will rely on 'reforms, cuts, changes' to close $298M gap Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday he will not increase taxes, fines or fees in next year's budget but will rely on unspecified spending cuts and better tax collections from an improved economy to close an estimated $298 million shortfall.

911 emergency service group may be dissolvedThe North Suburban Emergency Communications Center, a partnership formed 20 years ago to provide cost-effective 911 emergency service, may be the latest victim of a struggling economy.

Citing tough business climate and lackluster economy, Mokena bars and restaurants ask village board to rethink banCiting a tough business climate and a lackluster economy, representatives from Mokena bars and restaurants recently asked the village board to rethink the town's ban on video gaming.

But as economy improves, workers may look for jobs that offer more balance Ken Waltz works at Alexian Brothers Health System and can't remember the last time he took a day off.

Candy store has become a small town's anchor, honoring the shop their grandfather ran for decades— The candy store on the corner of Sale and Main streets will mark eight years in business next month. That's noteworthy in the cruel economy, especially in a largely vacant downtown two miles from the outlet mall on the interstate.

Financial turmoil threatens to have lasting effect on grads' career pathsIn 2008, Maria Sanchez was a full-time student at Harper College when the bottom dropped out of the economy and her world. Her parents lost their jobs, forcing the freshman to quit school to support her family.

On a quiet afternoon at Tampier Lake in Palos Park, Dr. Muhammad Sabir brought his three boys to the water to fish, run and play.

Agency hopes diesel-electric test will lead to more fuel-efficient vehiclesTwo new diesel-electric hybrid buses designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy are now operating on Pace routes in the Highland Park area, the suburban bus agency said Tuesday.

As a weary and frightened people sift the ruins of their economy, Greece's hardship stands as a warning to AmericaAt night with all but a full moon overhead, the Parthenon is lit and golden, almost a place of dreams as it sits there on that high rock over the city.

With no insurance amid a tough economy, they are often forced to get treatment at nearly 10 times the cost, study saysMeredith Postlewaite's mouth throbbed constantly, but self-employed and without dental insurance, she had few options.

As an insurance actuary, Cedric Williams knows a lot about math. In his opinion, there are only two ways to balance a budget: Either generate more money, or get rid of some expenses. And given the state of the nation's economy, he's all for boosting the federal coffers.

'When the money comes back for artists, the economy is definitely doing better'Nancy Melvin is confident that the economy is turning around. Last year, her husband, an artist, was commissioned by the village of Homewood to paint four murals in its business districts.

'When giving is down, we just stop spending in certain areas'The way the Rev. Michael Allen sees it, the country will never be on the right economic footing until the government stops spending money it does not have.

'It may be three to four years before we can get back to the way we lived before all this happened'Cynthia Billington can walk her dog around her Glencoe neighborhood and see indications that the economy is improving.

Most think nation's economy is improving, but many have a gloomier view about the situation closer to homeGloria Lamar sees signs that the nation's economy has taken a turn for the better. Her 401(k) retirement fund is recovering. Her job is stable. Last June she even felt confident enough to buy a new car — a 2012 Ford Fusion. Nothing fancy, just reliable and good on gas.

Authorities must make plans without knowing the number of demonstrators or the potential for troublemakingIn Wisconsin, a group of environmentalists plans to bicycle to Chicago's G-8 and NATO summits to protest an economy that relies too heavily on fossil fuel.

Only 3 in 10 voters approve of governor's job performance, while 54 percent disapproveDemocratic Gov. Pat Quinn finds his leadership under fire from Illinois voters unhappy with the state's economy, a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows.

Most Illinois voters approve of president's job, Tribune/WGN-TV poll showsDespite the sluggish economy, most Illinois voters approve of Barack Obama's handling of the presidency and the president appears poised for a general election victory in his home state this fall, a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows.

19 aldermen take every raise they canIn 2006, Chicago aldermen changed how they gave themselves raises. Instead of having to take politically risky votes on salary hikes, they pegged their pay to the city's cost of living.

The economy is in the tank. Americans are hurting, out of work and underemployed. The housing market hasn't recovered. And a weakened President Barack Obama hopes for good news.

Total visitors rise a bit in 2011 despite financial doldrumsDespite a stagnant economy, people continue to spend time and money pursuing culture and enlightenment at the Chicago area's major museums and zoos, according to year-end attendance figures released Thursday showing a slight overall increase.

Experts say the number of strikes may be declining because of the poor economy and a new state law that makes it tougher for teachers to strikeEven as Zion-Benton Township High School reopens Wednesday after a four-day labor dispute, experts say the number of strikes may be declining because of the poor economy and a new state law that makes it tougher for teachers to call for walkouts.

Some experts think poor economy, drinking at home make roads saferEvery time the old college gang got together for the annual reunion, one classmate in particular could be counted on to take the merriment too far, prompting the others to give him a hard time about drinking and driving. "Give us your keys," they would say. "Let us drive you home."

If state leaders don't take action, state economy could suffer, report finds Illinois' higher education system has foundered over the past decade because of budget shortfalls and ineffective governance, potentially harming the state's economic competitiveness, according to a recent study.

Village's income exceeds expectationsConsumers seem to be more confident about the economy in Northbrook, as the village has seen unexpected gains in sales tax revenue over the past year, administrators said this week.

Expert says fewer holiday gifts means more life lessonsWith a slow economy and unemployment rampant, many families are facing scaled-down holiday seasons — and disappointed kids.

Priebus says sour economy reason enough to vote president out of officeSaying "a fish rots at the head," the chairman of the Republican National Committee on Wednesday urged President Barack Obama's defeat next year for failing to deliver on promises to fix the economy.

But lack of investment in education and training has left Hispanics vulnerable during downturns, report saysBy 2015, 1 in every 4 workers in the Chicago region will be Latino, but a lack of resources behind education and workforce development has left the group especially susceptible to the poor economy, according to a University of Notre Dame report scheduled to be released Wednesday.

With a sputtering economy, libraries have seen an influx of patrons looking for free entertainment or a seat in front of an Internet terminal.

Sagging economy, housing market means fewer kids on the North ShoreA sagging economy and housing market is to blame for enrollment declines at grade school districts in New Trier High School's feeder area, officials say.