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AFSCME: More State Dollars Necessary to Keep Prisons Safe
The head of Illinois' Department of Corrections knows there is a need for state funds in order to beef up staff at Illinois prisons.

Director Michael Randle says he knows the economy is rough and the state's finances aren't in good shape, but he would like to see additional corrections officers hired to give relief to those guards who are swamped with overtime. He says there is already an effort under way.

"We have done three cadet classes which will help with the overtime and we have a fourth class currently in our academy," Randle said. "All of those officers will help us to deal with the overtime."

Eddie Caumiant, regional director of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, the union that represents corrections officers, believes an income tax increase is the best way to go to pay for additional guards.

"The governor is on record wanting a tax increase and wanting to adjust revenue in a way that allows the state to operate and we certainly concur with that," Caumiant said. "House Bill 174 is the bill that's out there that [has] already been passed by the Senate."

Caumiant adds that AFSCME, like Randle, is in contact with the governor's office about the issue on a regular basis.

(Illinois Radio Network)
11 20 09 by Newsroom
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