Tens of thousands of Illinois government jobs could soon be lost if the state doesn’t find another way to fix its current budget deficit.

The State of Illinois recently announced that more than 10,000 employees could lose their jobs because of budget problems, according to an article by The State Journal-Register. And even if some alternatives are reached, including cost-cutting measures and a tax increase, the administration has said some layoffs will most likely still be necessary.

In an effort to find alternative solutions, Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration and other officials are scheduled to meet with officials from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees today to discuss ways to reduce the number of layoffs. That union represents about 35,000 state workers.

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Could a new agenda of cost-saving measures effect those with Illinois government jobs?

Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced a series of cost-saving measures in an effort to help Illinois with an expected $9 billion budget deficit for the 2009 and 2010 budget. The changes effect all state agencies and the fiscal 2009 budget immediately.

“Quick and decisive action is needed to address Illinois’ unprecedented budgetary crisis,” Quinn said in a press release. “Better financial management and increased belt-tightening are necessary as we begin to deal with this serious problem. I want everyone in Illinois to know that we are working every day to solve this budget crisis and restore the state’s fiscal health.”

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Illinois government jobs are expected to grow slowly during the near future.

In July 2008, Illinois‘ government industry employed 848,100 people, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the same as last year.

Budget constraints at all federal and state levels of government are expected to cause employment in the the state’s government industry to increase at a slower rate than the average for all industries through 2014, according to an article by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

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