By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Corrections is laying off more than 400 employees because of budget cuts.
Department spokeswoman Januari Smith says 419 employees at six
prisons will be let go by Sept. 30.
The layoffs include correctional officers, maintenance workers and food service employees.
Smith said the corrections department plans to lay off more than 1,000 employees to try to save $125 million.
The cuts are part of an effort to close an $11.6 billion budget deficit.
A spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said the union wants to know how the prisons will operate safely after the cuts are made.