Chicago Mayor makes public transit mandatory for city employees

CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel is ordering city employees to take public transportation to meetings and assignments during the work day or explain why they cannot, under a strict new mileage and travel reimbursement policy projected to save $1 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The use of personal vehicles will be discouraged. Detailed reimbursement forms will include beginning and ending odometer readings listing all locations visited, along with a map that shows miles traveled. The city will also establish daily minimums and maximums, along with a maximum monthly reimbursement.

The new guidelines — and the savings generated by them — will be built into the mayor's 2012 budget. For the full story, click here.