SPRINGFIELD — Top state officials are being tight-lipped about budget cuts looming over the state’s prison system.
Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn announced the Illinois Department of Corrections budget would be cut by $41.9 million as part of a $1.4 billion package of spending reductions throughout state government.
Although the cuts won’t result in layoffs or prison closures, it remains unclear how the reductions will be made as part of Quinn’s attempt to juggle the state’s massive financial problems.
In budget documents distributed last week, the administration said the cuts “will be addressed through better management of overtime costs and other operational efficiencies.”
Corrections’ spokeswoman Sharyn Elman did not provide details of what exactly that means.
In a written statement, Elman said, “The department is currently formulating its fiscal year 2011 management plan with the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.”
Overtime costs within the prison system have been steadily rising in recent years because of under-staffing within the $1.1 billion agency.
In 2007, the department paid out nearly $20 million to prison guards in overtime costs. That figure jumped to an estimated $68 million last year. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union estimates it might be cheaper to simply hire more employees.
Elman said the agency is reviewing a directive issued by Quinn last week that calls for a series of belt-tightening maneuvers designed to keep the state afloat.
For example, Quinn wants cutbacks in vehicle use, employee travel and printing.
But, in the case of overtime, Quinn says reductions should not apply to employees who are in labor unions. Most of the overtime costs in the prison system are tied to unionized guards having to work double shifts because of understaffing.
Although Quinn had wanted lawmakers to approve a tax hike and allow him borrow money to pay down a huge backlog of unpaid bills, they did neither.
kurt.erickson@lee.net / 217-789-0865
Read the original article from Stateline.org.
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