KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffSouthern Illinois lawmakers say hire, not fire correctional employees

Southern Illinois lawmakers say hire, not fire correctional employees

By Julia Bruck - bio | email

VIENNA, IL (KFVS) - Hire, don't fire.  That is what two southern Illinois lawmakers say will save hundreds of prison jobs. 

State Representatives Mike Bost and Brandon Phelps announced a plan Tuesday that would effect hundreds of Heartland workers.

For nearly the past six years, Catherine Wright has gone to work at the Vienna Correctional center.  Recently, Wright learned she soon would be out of job.

"I've got my insurance, my benefits, and two little ones at home," she said. "We're just going to have to figure out what the next step is."

Wright is among more than 1000 correctional employees slated to lose their job under Governor Pat Quinn's proposed layoffs.  Fifty of those cuts are expected to come from Vienna Correctional Center.  However, in a bipartisan effort, Representatives Mike Bost (R) and Brandon Phelps (D) are asking the governor to reconsider and instead look at their plan.

"These people don't deserve to be political pawns," said Representative Brandon Phelps.

The state spent more than $61 million in overtime costs during the 2009 fiscal year.  But instead of dropping that number through cuts, Bost and Phelps say hire.

"Threatening layoffs when we are already this short of staff is not wise.  It is wrong to do it and it costs us more money.  Their plan calls for hiring more than 750 new guards statewide, which at Vienna means at least 12 new employees."

"It's part of a solution it's not that end game.  This discussion needs to end with a revenue increase," said Eddie Caumiant, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Region Director.

The Vienna Correctional Center is just down the road from the city of Vienna.  Many correctional employees stop in the city as they head to and from work.  But if Quinn's cuts go through that's less folks getting out of their car to spend money.

"That's going to affect our businesses in our town and we're just not going to be able to handle this," said Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons.

Simmons says he supports Phelps and Bost's plan, like many others who attended their announcement. 

Representatives Bost and Phelps have already discussed their plan with the Department of Corrections.  Next, they plan to speak with the governor sometime this week.

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