By AP/KWMU
Springfield, ILL. – Although the state of Illinois cut more than 200 positions of captain from the Department of Corrections' budget, nearly all of the officers are still working for the agency.
The department officially eliminated 216 captains' jobs on Friday. But Corrections spokesman Brian Fairchild says all but eight of them have landed other jobs within the department.
Fifty-four former captains were promoted to shift commander while another 153 accepted demotions. Fairchild says one ex-captain was promoted to assistant warden at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.
The cuts came after Governor Rod Blagojevich decided to cut about $17 million dollars from the budget for the Department of Corrections.
Fairchild says the moves will still save the state money.