The country is once again on the brink of a government shutdown — but this time around, federal employees could see mass layoffs instead of furloughs if Congress can’t come to an agreement on a federal funding bill.

Federal employees numbered more than 153,000 in Illinois last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey. Federal workers have already experienced massive upheaval due to cuts from President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. Now, they could face potential firings if the government shuts down on Wednesday.

That number includes federal law enforcement and more than 22,000 active duty military members. Under a shutdown, all active duty service members and some law enforcement officers would remain at work but re

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