Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Illinois has fewest state employees per resident

From AFSCME Council 31:

December 20, 2011

Contact: Anders Lindall at 312-641-6060

AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer issued the following statement in response to a new national study of state employment by the Associated Press. The AP story follows.

“After all the extreme rhetoric from politicians and pundits attacking public employees, here is the reality: Illinois has the nation’s fewest state employees per resident. It’s been true for years. Yet in recent months politicians of both parties have pushed for thousands of layoffs, pension cuts and limits on collective bargaining, while the governor claims he can’t afford a 2 percent pay increase for frontline workers.

“The men and women who do the real work of state government deserve thanks, not blame. Despite skeleton staffs, unmanageable caseloads and dangerous overcrowding, they care for the elderly and disabled, protect children from abuse, help struggling families and keep prisons safe.

"The state’s fiscal problems are caused by backward budget priorities and an unfair tax structure that offers special treatment for big corporations and rich individuals.”



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