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This might explain some things

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Illinois

* Either that, or we were way over-staffed back in the day. From Governing Magazine…

According to data from the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), 33 states have fewer employees — 15 percent fewer, on average — handling the budget than they did in 2002. In 20 of those states, budget staff is down at least 20 percent. Cuts have been the worst in Illinois (51 percent), Arkansas (45 percent), and Kansas and New Jersey (44 percent).

“They have fewer people. They’re swamped,” said Scott Pattison, former director of NASBO and now executive director of the National Governors Association.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:04 am

Comments

How embarrassing it would have to be to go to a NASBO national meeting when they find out you’re from Illinois…..

Comment by Unicorn Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:10 am
See - we really did need Arduin!

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:14 am
There’s my point about destruction of the state workforce right there. Who would want to work for the state right now?

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:14 am
ANY national meeting, Uni. Once you say you’re from Illinois “you have a lot ’splaining’ to do”!

Comment by OutHereInTheMiddle Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:15 am
The only area that has increased in the State employment is the number of Double-Es (Political Appointees).

Comment by Rufus Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:17 am
= Once you say you’re from Illinois “you have a lot ’splaining’ to do”! =

Staff knows what staff is going through. These groups typically don’t think of it like that.

In fact I would be a wee bit surprised if these numbers don’t give our OMB staff that would attend a meeting of the minds a little more credibility since (s)he is probably involved in more issues than their counterparts in other states.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:21 am
I think there are a lot of reasons for IL decrease in budget staff. Under Blago, GOMB/Filan just told agencies what they could/could not budget for. There was no real budget development from the bottom up.

Secondly, automation helps. Thirdly, it’s easier to budget when there are no new initiatives.

Comment by justacitizen Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:25 am
There are a lot fewer folks in a lot of key support and program positions. As usual in government, they deal with the associated problems only when the stuff hits the fan.

Given the Rauner war and the continuing pension attacks, more longer term experienced employees will be bailing.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:25 am
Oh. But my neighbor says anyone who works in public service is underworked and overpaid. /s

Comment by AnonymousOne Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:26 am
The numbers don’t mean anything, without additional statistics.

Comment by Apocalypse Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:31 am
===Oh. But my neighbor says anyone who works in public service is underworked and overpaid. /s===

AnonymousOne, we must live in the same neck of the woods!

Comment by Unicorn Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:32 am
- Rufus, the entire bugdet office is double-exempt rendering your point contradictory.
- just a citizen, your comment is plain ignorant, are you indicating that budgets are easier when there is no money?

Comment by Downstate Mom Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:33 am
===Who would want to work for the state right now?===

Just about anyone but the people who already do. There’s no shortage of applicants. From the outside, it still looks good to a lot of folks. Still, I understand your frustration and hope it improves. Really.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:43 am
=== Thirdly, it’s easier to budget when there are no new initiatives. ===

There are always new initiatives. They’re not properly planned, funded or implemented, but govs want material for press releases and campaign materials.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:43 am
“Secondly, automation helps.”

Good news! Illinois leads the nation in automation!

Comment by Bigtwich Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:54 am
I should think there would be many people that would like a job that has a base pay of 66k and then has 13 holidays. Pretty soft

Comment by scott aster Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:08 am
Tech helps a lot. Computers back in 2002 had less processing power than our smart phones. It’s not an enormous gap (and maybe overstaffing continued for several years after tech really started to boom) but it definitely requires far less people now.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:09 am
We just need to cut wages and benefits and we will get some good budget folks to work here….

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:11 am
===I should think there would be many people that would like a job that has a base pay of 66k and then has 13 holidays. Pretty soft====

Which state jobs have an entry level 66k? Please tell! And how many have been filled in the last 10 years?

Comment by Ottawa Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:13 am
Unicorn, and AnonymousOne - I really hope your being sarcarstic, as I can attest to doing 3 jobs on top of my own, and I’m 100% not underworked, and overpaid. And I’m not a political hire, so I don’t get any of the perks of Overtime, and perdiem, that those lovely people get.

Comment by CONFIDENT that nothing is getting done Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:37 am
Unicorn, and AnonymousOne - you two have no clue of what you speak of. When you do not have any facts, keep your fingers off the keyboard.

Comment by Mama Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:52 am
“There’s no shortage of applicants.”

There may be no shortage of overall applicants, but there is a big shortage of quality applicants for many professional state jobs. If you just want to fill positions, that’s not a problem, but if you actually want the agencies to accomplish their goals, it’s a huge issue.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:55 am
Pelonski, the question was:
“Who would want to work for the state?”

Your point taken. But plenty of people would be interested.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:18 pm