Illinois prepares wide-ranging budget cuts By Kristina Betinis 17 September 2008
In the midst of a growing economic crisis in the United States, many state governments have announced major budget cuts to essential public services, parks and infrastructure. In August, the Illinois legislature joined those of California, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Arizona in enacting deep cuts, along with wage freezes for state workers. The office of Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich quietly announced the nearly $1.5 billion budget cut last month in the middle of the Democratic National Convention. The cuts include 325 layoffs among state employees and the indefinite closure of 24 state parks and historical sites. Wage freezes and at least two unpaid furlough days have been imposed on nonunion employees for the next fiscal year, while hiring freezes, eradication of overtime pay, and furlough days are being negotiated in those offices still reconciling the new budget. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/sep2008/illi-s17.shtml --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
