SPRINGFIELD - About 80 state workers were set to punch the clock for what could be their final time Wednesday after losing their jobs to the state's ongoing political and economic upheaval. | List of closing parks, historic sites | Ceiling collapses at Thomson prison | Durbin may ask for ex-Gov. Ryan commutation

With state offices closed on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, many of the workers affected by layoffs in three state agencies worked their final day Wednesday before their jobs are officially eliminated Sunday.

The layoffs, combined with Sunday's closure of all or parts of seven state parks and 12 historic sites, are the offspring of a slumping economy and the political infighting between the Chicago Democrats who oversee the executive and legislative branches of Illinois government.

Citing an out-of-balance budget sent to him by lawmakers, Gov. Rod Blagojevich initially threatened to lay off more than 480 workers. The House and Senate then gave him the power to skim money from a number of special funds in order to avoid the cuts.

Blagojevich signed the legislation, but then said the state's financial woes and federal regulations, barred him from restoring all of the threatened cuts, leaving 118 jobs still on the chopping block.

Because some of those 118 employees took other jobs in state government, the final tally for people being laid off now stands at 85.

Of those, 48 workers will be laid off at the Department of Human Services, 13 workers will be laid off from the Department of Natural Resources and 24 workers will be laid off at the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Blagojevich spokeswoman Kelley Quinn confirmed Wednesday.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents the workers, is investigating whether some of the layoffs can still be reversed.

"AFSCME is looking closely at its options under the law and the state contract to keep fighting for our members in the state parks and DHS field offices," said Anders Lindall, a spokesman for the union.

In addition, AFSCME also has filed grievances concerning the way layoffs were handled.

"Some employees now targeted for layoff may have an opportunity to bump or claim vacancies if we prevail," Lindall said.

In addition to the layoffs, 12 historic sites - including the Lincoln Log Cabin, a part of Blackhawk State Historic Site and the Vandalia Statehouse - will close at the end of business Sunday. Seven state parks - including Weldon Springs, Wolf Creek and Moraine View - also will close Sunday.

The General Assembly isn't due to return to Springfield until January.