Ryan may close prisons, mental centers, parks

By Christopher Wills Associated Press Writer

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. George Ryan is considering closing more prisons, mental health centers and even parks to ease the state's gaping budget deficit, according to a memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

The April 10 memo, from Ryan budget director Stephen Schnorf, orders a halt to maintenance projects at 42 facilities that might be the target of budget cuts. They include mental centers in Alton, Anna and Waukegan and prisons in East Moline, Sheridan and Centralia.

At least 2,500 people work at those sites.

Ryan is locked in a bitter war of words with the largest state-employee union, warning that many workers will be laid off unless the union agrees to a salary freeze.

The union said it considers the memo more than an idle threat.

"Given the zeal with which they have moved forward with (other) closures, I have to take it as more than a scare tactic," said Roberta Lynch, deputy director for Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "I just have to say that I can't put any irresponsible behavior past them."

The Illinois House, led by its Democratic majority, last week approved a budget plan that would reverse the closures Ryan already has announced -- a Vienna prison, a St. Charles juvenile detention center and a Peoria mental health center.

But they offered no suggestions on how to pay for the $330 million in spending restorations when the state is already short about $800 million. The Republican governor has criticized lawmakers for not working with him on the painful job of cutting state expenses.

Ryan spokesman Dennis Culloton said no final decision has been made on the possible cuts outlined in the memo, but he said they are a very real possibility.

"The situation continues to deteriorate," Culloton said. "Clearly, painful potential cuts and closures are in the offing."

The memo says: "As a result of budget problems created by precipitous state revenue declines over the past seven months, the governor is considering facility closures and/or downsizing in addition to those already announced. ... It would be imprudent for us to award contracts for or proceed with repairs and maintenance on buildings or grounds that may be targeted for closure or downsizing." Copyright (c) 2002, Chicago Tribune