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Layoffs, cuts possible in Cook County due to no state budget

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says layoffs of county workers and program cuts are possible because the state of Illinois doesn't have a budget.

Preckwinkle says as of Jan. 31 the state owes Cook County about $66-million. Preckwinkle said the county "can't continue to carry the state because we don't have the cash reserves to do it."

The Chicago Democrat said she's particularly worried about $19-million that the county receives for child support enforcement and nearly $2-million it gets for an offender diversion program.

Preckwinkle said she'll have to reconsider those programs if the state doesn't pass a budget.

GOP Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats in the state Legislature have been at a state budget stalemate since last summer.

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