The Chicago City Council has approved a measure that will allow inmates in Cook County Jail to work at the David R. Lee Animal Center. The aldermen OK'ed the mayor's plan to cut overtime costs to taxpayers and improve the conditions for animals. Reps for Animal Care and Control say they are facing a lack of volunteers and operate on a short staff daily as they try to care for the 500 cats and dogs they house. The department spent $300,000 in overtime last year due to the shortage.

Under the new plan, 16 volunteer inmates, mostly convicted for driving on a suspended license, will be brought into the facility each day of the year to work from 8 a.m. to noon to assist in the cleaning and care of the animals. There is a one-year contract for the plan, with five one-year renewals possible.