Lt. Gov. calls for probe into vet firing

CHICAGO -- Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says he wants Governor Rod Blagojevich to investigate the firing of 20 people -- including 17 veterans --- from security jobs at National Guard armories.

Quinn says Blagojevich should honor the veterans by saving their jobs.

In a statement, Blagojevich says the federal government has cut funding. He called on senators to reverse the cuts.

The jobs were under the state's Department of Military Affairs.

A spokeswoman says 20 state employees were fired last month because of a $1.1 million cut in federal funding.

State officials say the fired employees were offered other state jobs.