Pilots still on Illinois payroll despite grounded flights

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A published report says five state airplane pilots have been showing up for work with little chance of flying because Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has grounded their flights to save money.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports (http://bit.ly/1T2qF9v) that Rauner grounded the air shuttles for state workers and lawmakers as a budget-cutting move to save $3 million. Previously, the shuttles flew regular round trips between Springfield and Chicago.

The shuttles haven't flown since Rauner's move in July. But state records show the pilots are still earning a combined $39,500 per month. One of the five voluntarily left in October. Others could follow. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell says the state plans to use layoffs to get the crew down to two union pilots.

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Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com