Bob Bowling has worked as a correctional officer at the Rock Island County jail for almost 25 years, but will soon be leaving the job to take advantage of the early retirement package offered by the cash-strapped county.
"It was really a deal I couldn't pass up," he said.
Bowling is one of several county workers headed out the door in the coming months.
The Sheriffs Department will feel the hit. At least five deputies and 10 jailers plan on taking the early out.
"I have 60 correctional officers. I'm going to lose somewhere around ten. That's a large percentage of senior, experienced employees that is going out the door," said newly appointed Sheriff Gerry Bustos.
"Over the course of the next year or so we're going to be in transition. I'm excited about bringing new people on board but there's a lot of training, we've got to get people experienced to take over," he said.
The Sheriff says there will be a cost savings because he will be able to pay the new hires an entry-level salary. But says he plans on filling every position.
"I can tell you, we've trimmed our budget every year the past three years. The Sheriffs Department is bare bones as I can allow it to get. For me to cut anything out of the budget or staff, frankly, it's law enforcement malpractice on my part. I can't go any deeper," he said.