By H&R Springfield Bureau Staff

SPRINGFIELD - A study released Wednesday by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union outlines deteriorating conditions in the state's prisons.

AFSCME spokeswoman Debbie Lippincott said the problems stem from a number of factors, including a growing population of prisoners and a declining number of guards.

"More than 1,900 positions have been eliminated from the system over the past five years, greatly heightening security risks," she said.

Lippincott said much of the attrition is due to retirements that aren't being filled.

To fill the guard gap, AFSCME is asking the state for 750 frontline prison staff at a cost of $22 million.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget proposal calls for 140 new supervisors. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the changes would create a total of 124 new positions while cutting some existing jobs to make way for the supervisors.

On Wednesday, Corrections chief Roger Walker stood by the budget request and said the budget plan was drafted by DOC veterans.

"But I never say that we have enough officers," he said. "You can always do with more officers."

Horse slaughter ban

An effort to ban the slaughter of horses for meat processing in Illinois was approved by a House panel 8 to 4 Wednesday.

State Rep. Bob Molaro, D-Chicago, drafted the measure to stop the slaughter of horses, which he said are akin to dogs and cats in the companion role they play. Molaro called horses "our friends" and argued that evidence of the humane treatment of horses either at the plant or during transport there, is scarce.

If approved, the measure would effectively shut down the nation's only horse processing plant, operated by Cavel International in DeKalb.

State Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley, said supporters of the bill are infringing on the rights of individuals to decide what happens to their horses.

"They are trying to take away the right of horse owners to decide the fate of their animals," Pritchard said. "I think this issue is one where a group wants to impose their values and their desires on everyone."

The legislation, which now heads to the full House for further debate, is House Bill 1711.

Same-sex unions

Lawmakers took a step toward recognizing same-sex civil unions Wednesday.

State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said the plan will allow same-sex couples almost all the same legal obligations and privileges. It passed a House committee by a 5 to 4 vote Wednesday and moves to the full House.

Harris said he previously proposed legalizing gay marriage but found more support for the civil unions concept.

Still, that change might not satisfy opponents.

"It's marriage just by another name, the way I look at it," said state Rep. Shane Cultra, R-Onarga. "I'm not going to be able to support it."

The legislation is House Bill 1826.

Cell phone ban

A ban on cell phone use while driving moved closer to becoming law Wednesday.

State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, sponsored the proposal, which he said would allow drivers to use hands-free cell phones.

A driver's first violation would be a fine of $150, while the second and subsequent fines would be $250.

Darrin Clark, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police, said his department supports the measure, which moved to the full House on a committee vote of 6 to 2 Wednesday.

"We think that it's pretty well documented that cell phones do contribute to driving behaviors that could result in traffic crashes," he said.

As written, the bill would not take affect until Jan. 1, 2009, to allow popularly used technologies such as Blackberries time to adapt hands-free technologies.

The legislation is House Bill 503.