Closing state facilities to cost at least 2,300 jobs
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn's own documents suggest his plan to close state facilities would cost Illinois at least 2,300 jobs and $250 million in economic activity.
So far, Quinn has filed economic impact statements on just eight of the 14 prisons, mental institutions and other facilities he wants to close. When more reports are filed, the total impact could be significantly higher.
For instance, closures planned in Centralia and Joliet will cost another 600 jobs just in state layoffs.
The Democratic governor says Illinois must cut spending to ease budget problems.
But critics call it short-sighted to make cuts that will eliminate jobs at the same time Illinois is trying to stimulate the economy.
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