Loop office buildings that house mailboxes no longer have a 5 p.m. pickup time, thanks to a confluence of events including the economic downturn and tightened security now that President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is working in the area.
Stand-alone blue boxes dotting the Loop will continue with regular pickups, including the final 5 p.m. timeslot.
Economic woes have hit the postal service, with staff and route cutbacks as well as a rate hike in January. While post office hours and routes haven't been slashed here, unlike in other cities, Chicago cut collection times after meeting with the Secret Service.
Copyright Chicago Sun-Times
