State budget crisis endangers A Woman's Place
URBANA – A Woman's Place could become the latest casualty of the state budget crisis.
The county's only shelter for victims of domestic violence is down to a skeleton staff of six and may have to close if it doesn't get a past-due state payment soon, officials said Thursday.
"Right now, we're probably in the worst situation that we've ever been in," said Tara Bossert, human resources manager.
The state owes the agency about $96,000 for expenses incurred since August, according to the Illinois comptroller's office. Given the $3.8 billion backlog of unpaid bills, it's unclear when the payments will be made, spokeswoman Carol Knowles said Thursday.
"We try to address emergencies as they arise with a number of vendors. But with a backlog as large as it is, it is difficult to address some emergencies," Knowles said.
A Woman's Place has no cash reserve and couldn't meet payroll last week. It was forced to lay off 10 employees Wednesday, including two court advocates who help abused women apply for orders of protection.
The agency is just trying to keep its shelter and hot line running for the time being, Bossert said. Eight children and five women were staying at the shelter Thursday.
"We're doing the best that we can to continue to offer emergency services for people who don't have anywhere to go," she said.
Legislators and community leaders scrambled to try to find emergency funding for the shelter.
"If they close, we don't have a domestic violence shelter in this county. This is really a critical circumstance," said Lyn Jones, president and CEO of the United Way of Champaign County.
Tim Mitchell contributed to this report.
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