To cover the $2 billion deficit in the state budget, the governor has already cut $1.4 billion from education, social services and health care.  Now, 325 state employees have been fired.  The Department of Human Services lost 73 people, the Department of Natural Resources 39, and the Historic Preservation Agency 34, but the Department of Children and Family Services, will have to do with 179 less employees.

To deal with the loss of employees, the agency is going to give its employees more responsibilities, even those, like case workers, who already have a lot of work on their hands.

The ones who will suffer the consequences of the cuts are the children that the DCFS works with, because with overburdened staff, it will probably take longer for children to be placed in foster care, and the overall operation of the department is expected to take a dip.

The other agencies losing employees are also projecting making changes, by reducing services and/or hours of operation.

Click link below: “Chicago Tribune” to read the article.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich lays off 325 state workers to balance budget

Department of Children and Family Services to lose 179 employees

By Monique Garcia and Ofelia Casillas | Chicago Tribune reporters

11:17 PM CDT, August 28, 2008