IDOC Director Randle announces $2.5 million in cost-saving measures for Fiscal Year 2010

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Corrections Director Michael P. Randle announced today the agency will save $2.5 million through reduced spending in Fiscal Year 2010.  The savings will help the agency as it attempts to meet its current budget deficit.

"During this economic climate, every cost-saving measure, irrespective of how miniscule, is significant if it results in an actual cost saving," Randle said.  "We must be fiscally responsible and share in the sacrifice by looking at all aspects of our agency and identifying opportunities to cut costs."

Randle highlighted 10 cost-cutting measures, which included a reorganization of the agency that involved the elimination of executive staff positions; rescheduling of inmate work crews to allow staff to return to their facilities to address overtime; reduction in executive staff vehicles; and changes in the transferring of inmates.

Randle also ensured that more cost-saving measures at IDOC will continue to follow.  

"The agency recently implemented an Employee Cost-Savings Suggestion Program in which employees are encouraged to identify opportunities to cut costs as well as suggest lower cost alternatives needed to benefit IDOC operations," said Randle.  "Since the program's implementation in late July, we have received more than 200 suggestions.   With outstanding suggestions being submitted routinely, this program shows significant promise in our goal to reduce spending."

Randle said the suggestions being submitted typically include areas concerning staffing, operations, parole, administrative management and technology.