WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

The union representing staff at Chicago libraries picked up discussions Friday with the city for the first time since the library system announced that it would close all neighborhood branch locations on Mondays for the foreseeable future.

The new year brings more than 500 layoffs for City of Chicago employees, including some over the next few weeks.

Come the first of the year, Chicago's city hall will start collecting more for water, hotel stays and weekday downtown parking.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has vowed to make Chicago the most “immigrant friendly city in the world.” Part of his plan to do that is by establishing a new Office of New Americans in Chicago.  Last week, Emanuel tapped Adolfo Hernandez to head that office.

Downtown Chicago will soon call itself home to the corporate headquarters of another company. Sara Lee, which is currently based in west suburban Downers Grove, will soon split into two companies.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he's staying out of the contentious debate over new boundaries for Chicago wards - at least for now.

Chicago's former first lady, Maggie Daley, was honored Monday in a funeral mass at Old Saint Patrick's Church just west of the city's downtown.