Top Senator Says To Hold Off On Layoffs Talk

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he’s told the governor he’s open to discussing shifting state budget money to avoid numerous layoffs and closing state facilities.

Madigan says the House intends to keep the spending limits it adopted for the budget and any changes won’t result in an overall spending increase.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed more than 1,900 layoffs and the closure of seven state facilities. He says both moves are necessary to live within the reduced budget passed by lawmakers unless they reallocate money.

The cuts are estimated to save $54.8 million.