Governor Quinn plans to close two facilities for the developmentally disabled along with three mental health facilities, a youth detention center and an adult correctional center. Most of the 1,938 layoffs will reportedly align with the facility closings. The governor plans to act quickly on the closings and layoffs, but will face strong resistance from AFSCME, which represents state workers. Quinn previously made a deal with the union, agreeing not to lay off any workers or close facilities through June 2012.
State Representative Bill Mitchell of Forsyth calls it just another attack on downstate Illinois.
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Quinn is looking to pass a supplemental budget to keep programs and agencies running through the end of year.