Union lobbies to block prison job cuts, scores legislative win

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Jane Zakibe-Richards hopes to persuade lawmakers to block budget cuts that would put thousands of state employees out of work -- no easy trick when the state faces a $1.2 billion budget deficit.

She had plenty of allies at the state Capitol Tuesday: Thousands of members of Illinois' largest state-employees union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

They blanketed the Statehouse, telling every lawmaker they could find that the budget cuts being discussed would make prisons more dangerous, threaten care for the disabled and put more mentally ill people on the streets.

"When they have tried every last resort, these clients are sent to us," said Zakibe-Richards, a therapist at Peoria's Zeller Mental Health Center, which is to be closed. "Where will they go now? Will they hurt themselves? Hurt others? Become homeless?"

Lawmakers offered one encouraging sign when they voted to reject one of Gov. George Ryan's cost-cutting measures.

The Senate voted 47-7 to bar prisons from hiring private companies to handle their food services and inmate commissaries.

Ryan had hoped to save about $16 million a year by privatizing some services, but AFSCME objected vigorously.

The measure already had passed the House, so it now goes to Ryan. Spokesman Dennis Culloton said whether Ryan signs the bill or vetoes it depends on budget negotiations with lawmakers.