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IDOT workers plead personal hardships in moving jobs to Harrisburg

BY MIKE RIOPELL, The Southern Springfield Bureau

Thursday, July 24, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD -- Several state workers Thursday said moving from Springfield to Harrisburg like Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants would break up their families - and some don't necessarily trust the governor to give them new jobs if they choose to not move.

The comments come a week before what is likely to be a contentious public hearing on the governor's proposal to move most of the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety to southern Illinois.

On Thursday, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union arranged for some of the affected workers to talk to reporters about negative effects the proposed move could have for them.

Laura Bunch of Springfield, a 29-year veteran of working for the state, was among them.

She said moving would uproot her high-school-aged daughter and take her away from her elderly mother who needs care. In addition, Bunch's son recently finished a tour in Iraq and moved back to Springfield to go to college.

''Now, the governor wants us to move hours away, which would upset his family foundation and support, which he needs very much right now,'' Bunch said.

Blagojevich has argued the move will rejuvenate the Harrisburg area economy, but the workers argued Thursday that having to retrain new employees could mean less fluid services for taxpayers.

Blagojevich has said the affected workers could be offered other state jobs so they wouldn't have to move.

''We will be working within the terms of the contracts and will be making every effort to place these employees in like positions, without loss of pay or benefits,'' said Blagojevich spokesman Brian Williamsen. ''We are not prepared to discuss specifics at this time, however, details are being worked on.''

But some don't trust the governor to come through.

''We don't have that in writing,'' said Trevor Halfacre, an office clerk. ''The governor says a lot of things, then he goes back on his word.''

The hearing before lawmakers next week will be mostly advisory, meaning Blagojevich might try to go forward with the move even if the plan gets bad reviews.

Organizers in southern Illinois have planned bus trips to Springfield for the hearing, and many union members plan to attend as well.