Quinn To End 'Put Illinois To Work' Program
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn is ending his pet jobs project.
The governor poured more than $122 million in taxpayer money to keep his Put Illinois to Work program going.
But it turned out that fewer than 10 percent of the people taking part found full-time jobs, so Quinn is ending the program in January.
The program dates back to April, when the federal government handed out about $1 billion to states for employment programs, the Chicago Tribune reported. Illinois received $215 million.
Quinn decided to prop up the program after the federal stimulus funds ran out, on the argument that government has a responsibility to help people in hard times, the Tribune reported.
But now, Quinn says he will focus instead on passing legislation providing more incentives for businesses to hire new workers.
