Gov. Bruce Rauner reached a collective bargaining agreement with the state’s Fraternal Order of Police covering conservation officers.
The measure includes a four-year wage freeze and ensures no officers will be laid off. The News-Tribune reports LaSalle, DeKalb, Bureau, and Putnam Counties could have seen cuts from five officers in the area down to two.
Conservation officers are responsible for patrolling state parks, lakes, and rivers. They also enforce fish and wildlife laws, and provisions related to endangered species.
The DeKalb, LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam County area contains several nature reserves, including Starved Rock and Matthiesen state parks.