Lawsuit challenging planned Illinois state layoffs on hold as negotiations press on

Lawsuit over planned Ill. state layoffs on hold

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. — A lawsuit by Illinois government’s biggest union challenging Gov. Pat Quinn’s plans to lay off some 2,600 state workers is on hold as both sides try to negotiate a resolution.

A hearing on the lawsuit by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Council 31 was to have taken place Wednesday before the Mount Vernon-based 5th District Appellate Court.

Last September, a southern Illinois judge sided with AFSCME in temporarily blocking the layoffs. The court ruled the union sufficiently proved employees would be irreparably harmed if the job cuts went forward without efforts to resolve the dispute.

Court papers filed last week suggested a settlement might come by the end of this month.

Quinn’s administration has said the layoffs could save the cash-strapped state $125 million.