SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An analysis of state records shows some prison guards at state facilities are doubling their annual pay because of mandatory overtime.
Prison officials say the forced overtime has been in place because of understaffing. Many guards are working double shifts to fill positions left vacant.
Top pay for correctional officers is approximately $55,000 annually. But according to state records, more than 40 prison guards earned over $100,000 last year.
In one instance, a guard at Dwight Correctional Center earned almost $140,000. That's compared with the $150,000 per year that the director of the Illinois Department of Corrections makes.
Union officials with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees say they're working with Gov. Pat Quinn to end mandatory overtime.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Prison officials say the forced overtime has been in place because of understaffing. Many guards are working double shifts to fill positions left vacant.
Top pay for correctional officers is approximately $55,000 annually. But according to state records, more than 40 prison guards earned over $100,000 last year.
In one instance, a guard at Dwight Correctional Center earned almost $140,000. That's compared with the $150,000 per year that the director of the Illinois Department of Corrections makes.
Union officials with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees say they're working with Gov. Pat Quinn to end mandatory overtime.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
