 Department spokeswoman Januari Smith says 419 employees at six
prisons will be let go as of Sept. 30.
The layoffs are at the East Moline, Lincoln, Logan, Decatur,
Vandalia and Vienna correctional centers. They include correctional
officers, maintenance workers and food service employees.
Smith said the department plans to lay off more than 1,000
employees to try to save $125 million. The cuts are part of an
effort to close an $11.6 billion budget deficit.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
spokesman Anders Lindall said the union wants to know how the
prisons will operate safely after the cuts are made.
[Associated Press]
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