State Senator Gary Forby is urging Governor Pat Quinn to sign the state budget as it was written and end months of uncertainty for state workers, and other Illinois residents who depend on state services.  The budget includes funding for Tamms Correctional Center, Murray Developmental Center, and other state facilities that Quinn has vowed to close over the General Assembly’s objections.

“There are men and women who are waiting to find out whether or not they’re going to have jobs next year.  Their lives are on hold until the governor signs the budget,” Forby explained.  “The General Assembly passed a balanced budget that keeps major state facilities open.  I urge the governor to sign it without any cuts or layoffs.”

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Last week, Governor Pat Quinn of Chicago declared that he was going to close Tamms Correctional Center, the Murray Developmental Center, Murphysboro Youth Center, and several other state facilities, in spite of the fact that the General Assembly found enough money to keep them open in a balanced budget.

Quinn is turning his back on the people of Southern Illinois and their elected representatives in the General Assembly.  He didn’t even have the decency to announce his decision personally.  Instead, he sent the message as a memo from faceless bureaucrats and then let his spokespeople defend it.  He didn’t even send direct notice to legislators, the press, or worst of all, the hard-working men and women he is laying off.  I believe that if you’re going to fire someone—especially without reason—you should have the common courtesy and respect to tell them to their faces.  As far as I know, the governor hasn’t set foot in most of these facilities since he announced he planned to close them last winter.

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A Weekly Update on Issues with Illinois State Senator Gary Forby...

Last week, I sent a letter to Governor Pat Quinn asking him to obey the wishes of the General Assembly and the people of Southern Illinois and to keep important state service centers and other facilities open.  My biggest concern is Tamms Correctional Center because it is here in the 59^th Senate District, but I’m also worried about places like Murray Developmental Center, which serves people throughout Southern Illinois.

These state facilities were all built for a reason.  Tamms was built to lower prison violence by moving the worst of the worst out of the general population.  These are violent men who have attacked or killed other inmates or guards.  They’re gang leaders who smuggle illegal materials into prisons and still have the power to incite violence and other criminal activity outside.  They’re dangerous killers and brutal rapists.

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