Illinois veterans home workers protest overtime, vacancies

QUNICY, Ill. (AP) - Employees of a state-run veterans home say they're being forced work excessive overtime as Illinois officials are leaving 40 positions vacant.

About three dozen workers chanted "Support our vets! Save our jobs!" as they picketed on Tuesday outside the Quincy veterans home in western Illinois.

Local union president Nettie Smith says employees worked about 1,600 overtime hours during August as managers aren't filling licensed practical nurse and nursing assistant jobs.

Employees say they're being worn down by sometimes working 16-hour days.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs blames overtime on employee absences and says overtime hours are down from last year.

The state attorney general's office is investigating how Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration handled a Legionnaire's disease outbreak at the home linked to 14 deaths during the past three years.