CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The Illinois Attorney General is urging caution before implementation of Governor Quinn's early release program for prisoners to reduce Illinois' 12 billion dollar budget shortfall.
In a news conference, on the Operation Falcon Fugitive Roundup, Lisa Madigan said it's a plan that requires very careful scrutiny.
She said before she agrees or disagrees, she wants to speak with Department of Corrections officials to see how they'd implement it.
Governor Quinn's plan would require 1,000 layoffs in the state prison system and early release of inmates judged non-violent with a year or less remaining on their sentences.
A spokesman for the state prison system says inmates are already being screened for possible early release.
Madigan said there's a long standing reluctance to cut public safety expenditures even during difficult budget situations.
She says Quinn's proposal does call for significant cuts to both the Department of Corrections and the Illinois State Police agencies directly responsible for public safety.
Madigan says she's interested in hearing how such cuts would be effective, and how they could be done with the least impact on Illinois residents.
She didn't say yes or no, she just said she needs more information on prisoner early release before deciding whether or not to support Governor Quinn's budget balancing plan.
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