Gov. Quinn ‘Optimistic’ On Budget Plan for State Facilities

Gov. Pat Quinn says he's "very optimistic'' a budget deal can be worked out to keep seven state facilities he'd planned to close open through the fiscal year.

Quinn told reporters Wednesday in Chicago that he hopes lawmakers can get it passed when they return to Springfield on Nov 29.

He says there have been good budget negotiations with Democratic and Republican legislative leaders. Earlier this year, Quinn said nearly 2,000 workers had to be laid off and seven state-run centers closed because the state didn't have the money to operate them. A bipartisan commission of lawmakers rejected closing the facilities that include a prison (the Logan Correctional Center) and centers for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill.

Quinn says changes need to be made in how the developmentally disabled are care for.