By Kurt Erickson
The Herald Review
SPRINGFIELD — Just months after state prison officials predicted skyrocketing overtime costs would be dropping, new figures show taxpayers were again billed over $60 million for overtime in the most recent fiscal year.
That’s the second time in as many years that the ongoing manpower shortage in the Illinois Department of Corrections has led to a $60 million-plus payout.
This time, officials are blaming the problem on a combination of unanticipated retirements by guards and a rise in payroll costs linked to a labor agreement inked 18 months ago.
“That resulted in millions in would-be savings being eaten up by the difference in pay scales,” Corrections spokesman Tom Shaer said in an email.
Full story: Overtime costs in Illinois prison again top $60 million