Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel held no press conference Thursday, even as the clock runs out on a deal with city labor unions. But he did answer questions - including about budget problems - during a live interview on Facebook.

Questions were submitted online, and covered a lot of topics reporters have also been asking Emanuel about: such as his standoff with union leaders over work rules and threatened layoffs.

“We don’t have to do this,” Emanuel said. “We can balance the budget, and keep those 625 people employed.”

Emanuel was also asked again whether four police officers should be kept on Ald. Ed Burke’s security detail, and he did not give a direct answer.

“That’s an issue. And I have the police superintendent, counsel’s office looking at it,” Emaniel said.”

The Facebook interview was Emanuel’s only scheduled appearance Thursday. It was moderated by a pair of radio hosts who sometimes responded “great” and “well said” after Emanuel’s answers, and didn’t press him for specifics.