Illinois Department of Corrections hires 450 new employees

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There are now more officers on duty at the Illinois Department of Corrections.

More than 450 new employees were hired and there are also more than 1,000 new trainees.

The goal is to save the state millions in overtime costs.

The department reduced overtime payouts by nearly $10 million in the past year. Those cuts are a priority for Governor Bruce Rauner, to deal with the state financial crisis.