Sangamon Sun

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) applauded the Rauner Administration for agreeing to return to the negotiating table and rescind layoffs of corrections facilities nurses recently.

“Laying off more than 120 nurses who do difficult and important work in our corrections system is something for which I do not agree,” Butler said. “Since the announcement of these layoffs, over the past several weeks, I and several of my House Republican colleagues have worked with the administration and have secured their agreement to rescind the layoffs and return to the bargaining table.”

The Department of Corrections announced a cost-saving plan to subcontract 124 nursing positions through its ongoing contract with Wexford Health Sources in March, according to the Southern Illinoisan. The department said the plan could save $8 million, since 55 of the current nurses make more than $100,000 and two earn more than $200,000, primarily due to overtime hours. The nurses are pushing for more hires to cut down on overtime and therefore costs.

“The next step will be for rank-and-file nurses to encourage their negotiators to return to the table as well,” Butler said. “We have a second chance to work together on better, long-term solutions to the issues at hand, including subcontracting. We must not waste it.”