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CMS moving ahead with scaled back layoff plan

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* Some background from a 2015 AFSCME release…

On Aug. 3, AFSCME received notice from the Rauner Administration of 94 layoffs in state government. The threatened job losses are in the Department of Natural Resources (54 layoffs associated with the Governor’s plan to close the Illinois State Museum sites and the Sparta World Shooting Complex), the Illinois Commerce Commission (24), the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (9) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (7).

The notices all cited a lack of funds as the rationale for the layoffs, which have an effective date of September 30.

“Most of these layoffs stem from Governor Rauner’s rush to shutter the Illinois State Museum sites, destroying a vital resource for learning and the preservation of cultural heritage and putting professional museum curators, librarians and support staff in the unemployment lines,” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch said.

The ICC got a bunch of money in the Exelon bill, so that’s probably why those layoffs were rescinded. And there was a deal cut on the museum not long ago.

I’ve asked the governor’s office for comment.

* Related…

* Timing of LeChien’s TRO for AFSCME questioned by Rauner in brief to appellate court

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:44 am

Comments

This is Rauner’s answer to Lynch’s AFSCME’s proposal. And the layoffs will not end on 1/31…..

Comment by Top of the State Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:52 am
I thought the Senate started a proposal two days ago to work out revenue and reform and now the firings begin? Well that should help?

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:54 am
Does this mean the two dozen Mendoza folks they just put on gov payroll are out of a job? Or are these layoffs to make room for them?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:04 am
Tightening the screws a few positions at a time …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:13 am
== Does this mean the two dozen Mendoza folks they just put on gov payroll are out of a job? ==

No. They will take care of those people, at least short term, to keep the rest of the staff loyal for now.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:15 am
Mendoza is a constitutional officer. The Governor doesn’t control her staff.

Comment by The Other Anonymous Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:20 am
the layoffs are union positions. the two dozen are merit comp…..

Comment by just Because Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:21 am
Um, could someone give the rationale as to why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is in the first round to be whacked? They seem to have a vital mission, what with their nuke safety, hazmat and terrorism portfolio.

Lot of fat there, or something?

Also, has anyone figured out how many ghost payrollers for his personal staff that the governor has squirreled away in agencies, a la the imaginary “education secretary” independent contractor pulling down $250K at DHS?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:26 am
Wordslinger, I can only assume that was a rhetorical question because so far this Gov (and it’s a title only these days) has always gone after the most vulnerable. Why should emergencies be any different. This is how businessmen view the world. Aren’t you glad we’re running government like a business /s

Comment by Not quite a majority Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:32 am
These are not new. They were tied up in litigation and other delays for over a year, but that was settled. I don’t know why the others were rescinded (besides the ones Rich explained)…maybe they lost more personnel by attrition.

Comment by Threepwood Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:34 am
Lack of funds? Where aare the rest of the notices?

Comment by Liberty Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:36 am
NQAM, it just struck me as strange that among all state agencies that IEMA would be in the first round of layoffs.

I mean, is that where the governor has found “bureaucracy run amok,” as he’s been known to say?

Over the years, I’ve heard complaints about feather-bedding in some agencies, but IEMA has never come up, that I can recall.

And, you know, that “emergencies” mission seems pretty important.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:40 am
Outside the global, statewide budget issue of course, lack of funds at the agency level is hilarious in this case. But an arbitrator supported that justification, maybe because of the state situation, and the court upheld it.

Comment by Threepwood Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:44 am
How many of the people being lay-off will be replaced with one of Rauner’s peeps “with a different title”?

Comment by MAMA Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:46 am
Are any union members being laid off?

Comment by MAMA Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:49 am
Haven’t more people retired since the September notice than the proposed layoffs

Comment by Publius Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:49 am
Can union members being laid off while they are on strike?

Comment by MAMA Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:49 am
Headcounts and payrolls at the agencies are down while Rauner increases salaries in his own office and budget office. Not good!

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:52 am
Wait a minute - wasn’t DOT the only agency that got a full year’s budget? Why are they laying off?

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:54 am
Why are they “IDOT” being laid off when they have a budget?

Rauner wants to contract out the work so there will be no benefits. Plus he will have total control over hirees.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 12:19 pm
The layoffs at DOT are at the airport, it is because they grounded the state planes.

Comment by anonymous 2 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 12:27 pm
Wordslinger is on the mark about the IEMA layoffs. It was never padded and the number of employees has probably dropped by 10% since these layoffs were first announced. A couple of the people laid off have 15 plus years of experience in specialized areas. We should pray we don’t have a disaster because this will have an impact.

Comment by Astor Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 12:51 pm
IEMA was slated for 7 union positions to be laid off. Only 3 of the original people will be laid off. IEMA has lost (through retirement, transfers, etc.) over 40 people in the last 2 years.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:12 pm
I think that attrition issue is especially relevant. I don’t understand how courts and arbitration could uphold layoffs on a cost justification when they’re actively bleeding staff. “The state’s broke” isn’t adequate.

Comment by Threepwood Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:15 pm
Maybe Illinois needs a Go Fund Me page

Comment by Flynn's mom Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:27 pm
The Other Anonymous, sorry, I meant the two dozen Munger people Mendoza canned and the gov immediately found homes (and, in many cases, raises) for in his admin, right before layoffs were announced.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 1:58 pm