VIENNA, Ill. (AP) - Illinois state agencies being sued by a union hoping to block Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to lay off about 2,600 state employees want the case shifted to Springfield instead of southern Illinois.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees sued last month in Johnson County, home to the Vienna Correctional Center.

But the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Corrections and their chiefs filed motions Monday asking that the case be moved to Sangamon County, where those agencies are based.

AFSCME argues the layoffs would create serious safety hazards for Illinois prison workers and would be inappropriate until their impact is assessed.

Quinn calls the layoffs necessary to help balance the state budget.

A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for Sept. 23 in Vienna.