Post by featherduster on Aug 14, 2015 5:32:18 GMT -5
Illinois financial problems will now become a problem for Conservation officers.
I can remember back in the seventies and eights Indiana state law enforcement officers were envious of Illinois officers now the shoe is on the other foot.
Many Illinois conservation police officers face layoffs
We all know we are suffering through some tough times in the Land of Lincoln. The front section of this newspaper constantly inundates us with stories about our state’s severe budget crisis.
I don’t exactly understand all of the financial ramification, but I do get the point that Illinois’ pocketbooks are empty.
No citizen wants to see his or her paychecks pared down by higher taxes, yet, no one wants to see any type of reduction in services. I can understand that, as well.
There is going to be a rather huge and depressing announcement made shortly. I have been informed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is going to announce the layoffs of 33 of their conservation police officers.
Although not officially announced by IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal, I have heard this from a number of the CPOs, including some who have been informed of their layoffs, which will be effective as of Sept. 30.
What this boils down to is that the latest graduating class of 13 CPOs, who just received their diplomas July, 25, will not be hitting the fields. Another 20 veteran officers are being laid off, as well.
Illinois is comprised of 102 counties. As of Sept. 30, we will have 80 officers to cover the needs of the 102 counties. I’d say our resources are being spread way too thin.
In northern Illinois, we are located in IDNR Region 2. Our region is losing 19 percent of its officers.
Does the date Sept. 30 ring a bell? Well, that is one day before the beginning of the 2015 deer hunting season. How ironic is that?
The budget cuts were announced by Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the IDNR has made no formal announcement. Chris Young, a spokesman for the IDNR, confirmed a total of 107 layoffs at IDNR.
In addition to the CPOs, personnel will be laid off at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, and there are many layoffs at the Illinois State Museum.
Realize this all comes from the fact Rauner and the state legislators have not been able to approve a new budget. Theoretically, if and when they pass a budget, all of this may change.
Realistically, I don’t believe this is going to happen. Sure, a new budget will be passed, but I think to move forward, massive cuts are inevitable in all areas including the IDNR.
So what can we do? Well, everyone is crying about the cuts being suffered in all areas. I understand education is being hammered. Many social programs are being slashed. It’s an incredibly tough situation.
I don’t think the outdoors has any more of a right to funding than any other area of our government. I can understand equal cuts across the board.
But, and that is a huge “but,” the IDNR has been totally cut to the bone time and time again over the past administrations. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich put the IDNR in such a deep hole that it’s amazing it can continue to operate in the manner in which it does.
The IDNR has faced its rounds of cutbacks, and it has happened more than once. In a perfect world, the IDNR needs an increase in its budget.
I know in this economic climate, that isn’t going to happen. At best, I would hope to see last year’s budget be renewed and we can keep waiting for better times to occur.
The situation we face is unlivable. Illinois cannot have an effective DNR operating under the budget constraints we face.
The union for the CPOs is asking citizens to call the governor’s office to express opinions on this matter. The number is 217-782-0244. Please let them know how this round of layoffs will affect northern Illinois.
I can remember back in the seventies and eights Indiana state law enforcement officers were envious of Illinois officers now the shoe is on the other foot.
Many Illinois conservation police officers face layoffs
We all know we are suffering through some tough times in the Land of Lincoln. The front section of this newspaper constantly inundates us with stories about our state’s severe budget crisis.
I don’t exactly understand all of the financial ramification, but I do get the point that Illinois’ pocketbooks are empty.
No citizen wants to see his or her paychecks pared down by higher taxes, yet, no one wants to see any type of reduction in services. I can understand that, as well.
There is going to be a rather huge and depressing announcement made shortly. I have been informed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is going to announce the layoffs of 33 of their conservation police officers.
Although not officially announced by IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal, I have heard this from a number of the CPOs, including some who have been informed of their layoffs, which will be effective as of Sept. 30.
What this boils down to is that the latest graduating class of 13 CPOs, who just received their diplomas July, 25, will not be hitting the fields. Another 20 veteran officers are being laid off, as well.
Illinois is comprised of 102 counties. As of Sept. 30, we will have 80 officers to cover the needs of the 102 counties. I’d say our resources are being spread way too thin.
In northern Illinois, we are located in IDNR Region 2. Our region is losing 19 percent of its officers.
Does the date Sept. 30 ring a bell? Well, that is one day before the beginning of the 2015 deer hunting season. How ironic is that?
The budget cuts were announced by Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the IDNR has made no formal announcement. Chris Young, a spokesman for the IDNR, confirmed a total of 107 layoffs at IDNR.
In addition to the CPOs, personnel will be laid off at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, and there are many layoffs at the Illinois State Museum.
Realize this all comes from the fact Rauner and the state legislators have not been able to approve a new budget. Theoretically, if and when they pass a budget, all of this may change.
Realistically, I don’t believe this is going to happen. Sure, a new budget will be passed, but I think to move forward, massive cuts are inevitable in all areas including the IDNR.
So what can we do? Well, everyone is crying about the cuts being suffered in all areas. I understand education is being hammered. Many social programs are being slashed. It’s an incredibly tough situation.
I don’t think the outdoors has any more of a right to funding than any other area of our government. I can understand equal cuts across the board.
But, and that is a huge “but,” the IDNR has been totally cut to the bone time and time again over the past administrations. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich put the IDNR in such a deep hole that it’s amazing it can continue to operate in the manner in which it does.
The IDNR has faced its rounds of cutbacks, and it has happened more than once. In a perfect world, the IDNR needs an increase in its budget.
I know in this economic climate, that isn’t going to happen. At best, I would hope to see last year’s budget be renewed and we can keep waiting for better times to occur.
The situation we face is unlivable. Illinois cannot have an effective DNR operating under the budget constraints we face.
The union for the CPOs is asking citizens to call the governor’s office to express opinions on this matter. The number is 217-782-0244. Please let them know how this round of layoffs will affect northern Illinois.
