Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  Quinn says job 'reductions' needed, no details yet
NEWS DETAILS
Parent(s) Container 
ContributorImperator 
Last EditedImperator  Sep 06, 2011 07:02pm
Logged 0
CategoryAnnouncement
AuthorKAREN HAWKINS and CHRISTOPHER WILLS
MediaNewspaper - Chicago Tribune
News DateWednesday, September 7, 2011 01:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionCHICAGO— Gov. Pat Quinn said Tuesday that he plans major spending cuts, including layoffs, as he tries to keep state government running within the tight budget sent to him by Illinois legislators.

Quinn would provide no details about the scope of the cuts. Asked if thousands of state employees could lose their jobs, he said, "We have to do what we have to do."

Legislators and state-employee unions said they hadn't been given any information about Quinn's plans. With lawmakers returning to the Capitol at the end of October, announcing cuts could be partly a tactic to generate public pressure on the General Assembly to allow more spending.

One union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, immediately called on officials to overcome a "crisis of will" and approve money to maintain key operations.

Quinn's comments came in response to a Chicago Tribune report Tuesday that cited a person in state government who requested anonymity who said Quinn planned to issue layoff notices this week. The Tribune also reported that sources said Quinn intends to announce the closing of several state facilities, including a prison, juvenile detention center and homes for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. The Tribune's report followed a similar one by the Capital Fax blog last week.

The Democratic governor and his staff did not deny the reports but would not provide any details about how many jobs could be targeted, what state operations might close or how much Quinn believes spending must be cut.

Cutting jobs and closing facilities would entangle the state in another legal battle with unions representing state employees. It also could take a toll on the state economy.
Share
ArticleRead Full Article

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor

DISCUSSION