Skip to main content

Mass Layoffs Planned for Illinois State Troopers

By Kamika Dunlap on March 25, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Illinois like other states around the country is facing a budget crisis. That means mass layoffs are planned for state troopers.

Officials warn reducing the number of sworn troopers will have consequences to public safety and could delay response times, the State Journal-Register reports.

The plan is to reduce the force by 30 percent or by about 600 state troopers. In addition, 5 of 22 offices state police offices will close.

Acting State Police director Jonathon Monken said for the bottom line it will be a loss of an estimated $12 million in citation revenue for counties across the state.

The mass layoffs also will impact the police response time, which could grow to two or three hours. In some cases, it could be 80 or 100 miles to a crash scene, officials said.

The 10 officers now assigned to the Statewide Terrorism Intelligence team would be reduced to half. As a result this will increase exposure to terrorists.

As previously discussed, California also is facing a budget deficit. The state's $79 million budget shortfall has led to the closure of several Los Angeles courtrooms.

The mass layoffs of courtroom personnel and service reductions have impacted many judges and their caseloads.

In Illinois, cuts to the state police have raised concerns about increased drug trafficking.

To fill, the gaps some of the state's sworn officers will be reassigned and some territories will be covered by nearby districts.

And although the cuts made may be necessary the impact will surely be felt.

 

 

Copied to clipboard