HARDIN, Ill. — Sheriffs around Illinois are angry over the state police’s plan to lay off more than 460 troopers and close five regional headquarters this year, calling it a threat to public safety.
HARDIN, Ill. — Sheriffs around Illinois are angry over the state police’s plan to lay off more than 460 troopers and close five regional headquarters this year, calling it a threat to public safety. "It really is unfortunate, as the residents of Illinois are being shortchanged again," said Calhoun County Sheriff Bill Heffington. "My department is already short-staffed due to the budget crunch caused by the state, and as far as I am concerned, our politicians in Springfield need to think of public safety first." The five offices on the chopping block are in Litchfield, Carmi, Pecatonica, Macomb and Des Plaines. Calhoun County is among five counties covered by District 18 in Litchfield. Heffington said without state troopers nearby, response time to calls from his agency could be hours. Other sheriffs echoed similar concerns, as well as an increase in traffic fatalities. Illinois State Police District 16 in Pecatonica, located in the northwestern corner of the state, covers four counties. That includes Winnebago County, which has one of the state’s largest sheriff’s offices. "The state has never hesitated to send assistance when we asked for it," said Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers. "Now those resources are not going to be there." Earlier this week, State Police Acting Director Jonathon Monken announced the cuts, saying they were necessary because of the state’s budget crisis. The agency faces a $32 million cut in state funding. But Monken added that there will be consequences for communities. He said among the changes would be the loss of providing pro-active programs to keep citizens safe and only being able to respond to calls for assistance. He said the layoffs will start July 1, and facilities will start to close by Sept. 1. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
