Quinn to end Put Illinois to Work
Jobs program led to full-time work for less than 10 percent of participants.
Gov. Pat Quinn has poured $122 million in taxpayer money to keep afloat a temporary jobs program, but the investment has led to full-time work for less than 10 percent of the people taking part.
The governor made Put Illinois to Work a campaign centerpiece while seeking election, but now says he plans to shut it down in mid-January. Instead, Quinn said, he'll focus on passing legislation to provide more incentives for businesses to hire new workers.
Critics question Quinn's spending given the state's woeful budget situation. Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno called it "cruel" to expand the program in a piecemeal fashion without any guarantees that workers will get full-time jobs.
"It speaks volumes to his approach to governance ... spend more and ignore the bills. This kind of behavior will drive the state into bankruptcy," said Radogno, of Lemont.
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