SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services canceled plans to lay off 375 employees after state lawmakers signaled they were willing to restore some of the millions of dollars in department funding that had been cut from next year’s budget.

The agency’s director, Richard Calica, announced the change in a memo to staff Thursday, The State Journal-Register in Springfield reported. The department still is aiming to reduce its headcount by 188 people under a reorganization plan, but will try to avoid making any of the layoffs, which were to have taken effect Oct. 1.

“At Governor [Pat] Quinn’s direction, I am announcing today that we are revoking the layoff plan and will proceed with a material reorganization to properly staff our front line positions and provide you with the supports you need in the field,” Calica wrote in the memo.