Labor budget reduced nearly 10 percent

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today proposed a fiscal year 2004 budget of $6.2 million for the Department of Labor, a reduction of $674,400 or 9.8 percent from the agency's FY03 appropriation.

Savings will be derived from staff reductions and elimination of several tiers of managers. The agency's FY04 headcount—89—is down 12 from FY 03, saving $442,500 in employee costs.

In addition, while the department will not seek to launch any new programs, it will explore ways to better structure current programs to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

The department will continue to place a high priority on enforcing the state's labor laws and on ensuring that employers, workers and the public are well informed about the protections afforded by these laws.