Good news for LDC and early retirement

[FEB. 19, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, is glad to hear that the fiscal 2005 budget includes funding for the Lincoln Developmental Center and early retirement. Both funding items are welcomed by area residents who have called Bomke's offices.

Lincoln Developmental Center, which Bomke has fought hard to reopen since Gov. George Ryan closed the facility in 2002, will receive $1.026 million under the fiscal 2005 budget. Bomke secured Gov. Blagojevich's pledge to reopen the facility last year and fought to hold the governor to that pledge.

"Lincoln Developmental Center will reopen better than before, and I want to thank the governor for keeping his word on this facility," said Bomke. "It may not be as soon as we had hoped, but thanks to the hard work of the LDC task force, the new LDC will offer more innovative living arrangements and overall a better quality of service to the residents." 

"Many state employees have asked me for another early retirement program, and I would rather have people retire willingly than be forced to leave," said Bomke. "Early retirement has always been a cost-saving measure for the state, and as long as state employees are willing to leave, I support the plan."

The governor estimates 2,000 people will be able to retire under his early retirement package, for an estimated savings of $25 million. Bomke does want to see more details on how the governor plans to cap the plan at only 2,000 employees. At this time, the governor has provided only sketchy details.

Another plan Bomke would like to see more details on is the consolidation of state agencies. While he is open to the idea, Bomke wants to make sure it will not adversely affect jobs in Springfield or the efficient delivery of services.

"The last thing we want to do is create backlogs within agencies due to a reorganization," said Bomke. "I am also concerned that this will give the governor the opportunity to move more jobs from Springfield to Chicago. I want reassurance that Springfield will not lose more jobs under the reorganization."

Bomke has introduced legislation to track the migration of state jobs from Springfield to Chicago. Already, Bomke estimates at least 70 jobs have moved to Chicago since the governor took office. With early retirement, it is difficult to get exact numbers, but his legislation will make it easier to track the movement of state jobs throughout Illinois.

[News release from Sen. Larry Bomke]