The state’s budget impasse could cause a number of Illinois conservation officers in training to lose their jobs by the end of the year. 

Conservation officers patrol the grounds of the state’s department of natural resources. Twelve recent graduates of the conservation police academy could be fired by the end of the year because the budget impasse prevents them from getting their final certification. 

The state’s FOP does not represent the cadets, but the issue has been part of ongoing contract negotiations. The governor’s office says if the FOP would negotiate a contract, they could likely find a way to prevent terminating the trainees.