Terminated federal employees in Illinois respond to DOGE, mass layoffs | Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Terminated federal employees in Illinois respond to DOGE, mass layoffs “It’s disorienting. And it just makes me feel like what I was doing didn’t matter,” says fired worker Abbey Hays. The U.S. Forest Service recently fired over 3,000 employees across the country. Twelve come from Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a preserved grassland in Will County, Illinois. Reset sits down with three terminated employees to unpack how they’re feeling, how Midewin’s programs have to adapt and how this is harming conservation efforts in Illinois. GUESTS: Abbey Hays, former Youth Program Coordinator Siobhan Solkowski-Peacy, former Interpretive Specialist in the Educational Department Erick “Iggy” Ignaczak, former Facilities Operations Specialist -- WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons is your forum for the Chicago conversation. We bring context to the latest local news with journalists, experts and newsmakers. And we cover a wide variety of beats from State and City Politics to Arts and Culture to the Environment. Every Tuesday, we talk Health and Wellness. Every Thursday, it’s Food and Music. We’re on the latest news stories throughout the week and on Fridays in our Weekly News Recap. Reset really is your forum. We love to work your voice and ideas into the show. To leave a suggestion, news tip or feedback, leave us a voicemail at 888-915-9945 or email us at reset@wbez.org. If you’re a local listener, join us live on the radio weekdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CT on 91.5 FM WBEZ. You can also listen from anywhere live or on delay online and on the WBEZ app. Not much of a radio listener? We’re working hard to meet folks where they like to read, watch and listen to news, culture and conversation. #elections #wbezchicago #socialmedia #socialmediatrends