HR1172 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1172 LRB093 23139 HSS 53109 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Correctional officers perform a vital function for the State of Illinois by risking their health and safety to maintain order and security within correctional facilities where offenders have been removed from the public; and

WHEREAS, The inherent conditions of correctional facilities can cause great stress and fatigue for officers and their families; and

WHEREAS, Stress and fatigue can be a particular problem when too few correctional officers are employed to maintain order and security within correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS, Four percent cuts to the budget of the Department of Corrections are necessary to create a balanced State budget for Fiscal Year 2005; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Corrections has made strides to increase the number of front line security at its facilities, as it employed 9,393 security staff at the end of Fiscal Year 2003 but 9,661 at the end of Fiscal Year 2004; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor and the Director of Corrections to take all actions necessary to keep Fiscal Year 2005 operations on budget without decreasing front line security staff who must interact with inmates and maintain security and order within Illinois correctional facilities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Department of Corrections to explore all options available that will allow it to increase in future fiscal years, just as in Fiscal Year 2004, the number of front line correctional officers at Illinois correctional facilities to contribute to a safer environment for officers and inmates alike and to enhance piece of mind for the families of Illinois correctional officers who allow their loved ones to serve the State at the Department of Corrections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Governor and the Director of Corrections.