EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A southwestern Illinois court system facing what it calls massive cuts to its probation program is asking Gov. Pat Quinn to step in and help.
Chief Judge Ann Callis says she's "appalled" that Madison County's probation and court services department will be getting a 57 percent cut in what it receives from the cash-strapped state.
That amounts to $1.6 million less in funding and could cost about 30 probation and detention officers their jobs in a department that has only 75 of them now.
Probation Director Judy Dallas says she wonders how such cuts can be made without compromising the department's ability to supervise 4,000 offenders in the community.
The county says it's critical that Quinn transfer available state funds to probation services statewide, especially in Madison County.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chief Judge Ann Callis says she's "appalled" that Madison County's probation and court services department will be getting a 57 percent cut in what it receives from the cash-strapped state.
That amounts to $1.6 million less in funding and could cost about 30 probation and detention officers their jobs in a department that has only 75 of them now.
Probation Director Judy Dallas says she wonders how such cuts can be made without compromising the department's ability to supervise 4,000 offenders in the community.
The county says it's critical that Quinn transfer available state funds to probation services statewide, especially in Madison County.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
