layoffs

Illinois child-welfare agency starts cutting of 375 jobs

The Associated Press — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:15:43 +0000

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services began sending out layoff notices Friday as it tries to cut 375 jobs without weakening its ability to protect children.

The department has to absorb an $86 million budget cut.

Director Richard Calica said in a letter to staff that the agency must focus its remaining resources on core responsibilities required by law.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports the agency will have to reduce programs aimed at preventing abuse and neglect.

Teachers would have to work longer to get tenure under legislation approved by Mo. Senate

Marshall Griffin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:35:53 +0000

The Missouri Senate has given first-round approval to legislation that would double the amount of time required for public school teachers to earn tenure.

Currently, a teacher has to work in the same school district for five years to earn tenure. The bill sponsored by State Senator Jane Cunningham (R, Chesterfield) would expand that requirement to 10 years.

“As long as the teacher does not own their job, if you will, then they’re going to be really working to prove (themselves) and do a good job," Cunningham said. "It gives us five more years of encouraging and giving motivation to teachers to really produce.”

Morning headlines: Thursday, January 26, 2012

Julie Bierach, Joseph Leahy and The Associated Press — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:32:17 +0000

Gateway Arch project may not be finished by anniversary

The 50^th anniversary of the Gateway Arch is three years away, but the project to improve and expand the grounds by then may not be finished on time.

Walter Metcalfe, director of the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation, which is leading the effort, says it's more important to get it right than to get it done in time for the anniversary.

Arbitrator rejects Quinn's layoff, closure plan

The Associated Press — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:59:10 +0000

An arbitrator has ordered Gov. Pat Quinn to cancel his plan to lay off state employees and close several prisons and mental facilities.

Arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled Monday that Quinn's plan would violate his agreement with a major union. The Democratic governor signed a deal last year that promised no layoffs or closures if the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees agreed to various cost-cutting measures.

Quinn to close seven state institutions, lay off 1,900 workers

The Associated Press, Illinois Public Radio and WBEZ — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:20:58 +0000

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Sean Crawford and WBEZ's Sam Hudzik was used in this story.

Gov. Pat Quinn says he will need to lay off 1,900 state employees and close seven state facilities to live within a budget sent to him by the General Assembly.

"Decisions made by members of the General Assembly I may or may not agree with, but once they have adopted their budget, it is now the law of our state," Quinn told reporters in Chicago today. "We have to implement this in a responsible manner."