55 ILCS 5/3-14024: Lay-offs.

Whenever it becomes necessary through lack of work or funds, or whenever a position is abolished and the number of employees in a department must be reduced, the employee shall first be laid off who has the lowest seniority in the grade and department in which the reduction is to be made, except in the classification of laborer, where candidates are not listed according to their relative proficiency as provided in Section 3-14020, and where the employment is on a seasonal or "as required" basis, the performance on the job of the employee shall be considered rather than seniority.