SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to lay off state employees and close several prisons and mental facilities is on hold after an arbitrator ruled the scheme would violate Quinn's agreement with a major union.
Quinn signed a deal last year that promised no layoffs or closures if the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees agreed to various cost-cutting measures.
Quinn claimed that state lawmakers did not give him enough money to run state government, making the cuts necessary.
But arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled Monday that whether the cuts are necessary makes no difference. Benn said the state's agreement with the union is not canceled because of Illinois' economic problems.
Quinn is likely to appeal, The Associated Press reported.
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