Union representative warns board that cutting unfilled positions would worsen jail staffing crisis

A representative of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council urged the Champaign County Board on Sept. 18 not to eliminate unfilled county positions, saying cuts would harm employees, compromise services and exacerbate chronic jail staffing shortages.

Mike McMahon, a correctional officer and elected union representative, said the county has been short‑staffed in the sheriff’s office for more than five years and described recent violent incidents inside the jail. He warned that cutting vacant positions would permanently remove capacity the county needs to meet its statutory duty to operate a properly staffed county jail and could increase legal and safety risk.

McMahon said cutting unfilled positions would drive higher turnover and burn out remaining staff. He called for strategies focused on recruitment, retention and workplace support rather than permanent position eliminations. No board action to eliminate vacancies was recorded at the Sept. 18 meeting.