SPRINGFIELD - The state has begun its appeal of a court decision that blocked Gov. Pat Quinn's plans to lay off 2,600 workers.

Last month, a southern Illinois judge ruled Quinn couldn't lay off workers at a number of state prisons and other facilities because of the safety concerns it might cause.

Budget problems

Quinn fought for the layoffs in order to help fix the state's budget problems, but the American Federation for State, County and Municipal Employees union sued.

On Friday, Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office filed papers

on Quinn's behalf notifying the court

it intends to appeal the decision, said Madigan spokeswo1man Robyn Ziegler.

A hearing on the case might not come for weeks.

A spokesman for the union said the appeal was expected.

Plans for the layoffs targeted prisons in Decatur, East Moline, Vandalia, Vienna and two in Logan County.

Quinn wanted an increase in the income tax rate to avoid downsizing, but lawmakers didn't agree.