Quinn 2011 Budget: Hire More State Employees
Illinois is facing billions in unpaid bills, yet Governor Quinn is proposing to add to the number of employees on the state's payroll.
Imagine this: You’re a small business owner. You’re facing bankruptcy. Bill collectors are at the door, and your outflow is surpassing intake. Would now be a good time to hire a new employee?
It is if you’re Governor Pat Quinn. His Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposes increasing the number of state government employees by nearly 400 positions over last year — even as the state has wracked up $6 billion in unpaid bills.
2010 full-time equivalent employees: 55,497 (estimated)
2011 full-time equivalent employees: 55,892 (recommended)
Illinois would have 2,665 more employees in FY 2011 than FY 2009.
Adding employees now leads to higher wage and benefit costs today, as well as pension and retiree health care costs tomorrow.