Steps Can Save Millions of Dollars, Improve Delivery of Services

Mayor Richard M. Daley announced today the city will implement a series of steps recommended by his "21^st Century Commission" aimed at better managing government and reducing spending.

Included among the proposals, which Daley said he has asked his senior staff to put in place, are: offering rewards to employees who generate ideas that improve services or generate new revenue; ...

With more than half-a -million new square-feet of green roofs installed in 2007, Chicago leads in becoming the greenest City in America. "Cities are no longer the enemies of the natural environment," says Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley of the news.

TORONTO, CANADA - With nearly 517,633 new square-feet of green roofs installed in 2007, Chicago is once again No. 1 on this year's Top 10 List of Best U.S. Green Roof Cities from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities' 3rd Annual Green Roof Market Industry Survey of corporate members. This is the fourth consecutive year in a row that Chicago has come in the top spot in the annual survey. The city beats out Wilmington, DE (No. 2 on the list) by more than 300 thousand square feet.

Students May Be Eligible to Receive Up to $10,000!

City Clerk Miguel del Valle and the Tax Assistance Program have extended the dates for students to receive free assistance when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Prospective college students and parents are encouraged to visit City Clerk del Valle's office in Room 107 of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to receive one-on-one assistance to complete the FAFSA form. 

City Clerk del Valle Redesigns Motorcycle Tag

City Clerk del Valle in his first year in office dramatically redesigned the motorcycle tag, so it will actually fit on a motorcycle. The motorcycle tag is the vehicle sticker for motorcycle owners.

"This newly designed motorcycle tag is smaller in size and will be much easier for motorcycle owners to attach to their vehicles," said City Clerk Miguel del Valle.

Special Outreach Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities also Announced

Mayor Richard M. Daley was joined today by Aldermen Danny Solis of the 25^th ward, Otis Damron, Internal Revenue Service Territory Manager, David Marzahl, Executive Director, Center for Economic Progress, Christine Cheng, Director of the Tax Assistance Program and other city officials at the Instituto del Progreso Latino, 2570 South Blue Island in the Pilsen neighborhood to remind taxpayers that they have until Tuesday, April 15^th to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

First time a technology magnet program has been put into neighborhood schools.

Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public School officials, continuing a push to increase and expand high-quality education options across the city, today announced a proposal to convert five existing neighborhood schools into magnet cluster schools with a focus on technology. The schools which would receive a new academic focus are Dumas Elementary, Dvorak Math and Science Tech Academy, Dunne Elementary, Nicholson Math and Science Elementary, and Spencer Math and Science Academy. It is the first time a technology magnet program has been put into neighborhood schools.

Mayor Richard M. Daley today urged the Illinois General Assembly to extend the 7 percent cap on the annual increase in the taxable value of homes to prevent homeowners from being hit with skyrocketing property tax bills this fall.

The Mayor also called on state lawmakers to provide additional aid to mass transit to keep the Chicago Transit Authority from being forced to reduce service.