Domestic violence funding in peril
By JILLIAN DUCHNOWSKI - jduchnowski@nwherald.com with wire reports
WOODSTOCK – Turning Point Executive Director Jane Farmer gets more nervous about expected state funding cuts when she hears about allegations that a Wonder Lake man beat his new girlfriend to death.
Thomas A. Brown, 39, of 2912 Michael St., remained in McHenry County Jail on Thursday unable to post 10 percent of his $1 million bail on charges alleging that he raped and murdered 33-year-old Vitriza M. Wedward of Wisconsin. The case is the fifth domestic-violence related fatality to touch the county this year and comes after a Crystal Lake man with a history of domestic violence was arrested this weekend for allegedly fatally stabbing a Hanover Park woman.
But if the new state budget does indeed have the reduced state aid to the Woodstock-based domestic violence advocacy agency, as Farmer has been told, she could be looking at cutting her programs or reducing the number of shelter beds during a time of increased demand.
“It will force us to make some really hard decisions,” Farmer said. “And in light of the really serious nature – the lethal issue which we have seen in this county for the last six months or so – it’s extremely serious.”
State budget cuts don’t threaten just domestic violence victim advocates.
Social service agencies across the state share Turning Point’s concern based on Gov. Pat Quinn’s doomsday budget threats if an income tax hike is not approved.
The Illinois Senate passed an income tax increase, but the House overwhelmingly rejected one before lawmakers adjourned their spring legislative session June 1. Quinn met with the state’s four top lawmakers Tuesday but the legislators focused on budget cuts. Some have said a serious debate about an income tax increase won’t happen until officials improve government efficiency.
Local health care and child care workers have two separate rallies planned for today in Crystal Lake and Woodstock urging legislators not to cut social service expenses such as cutting off child care assistance for the 813 families in McHenry County who receive them and home care assistance for seniors and people with disabilities.
Turning Point of McHenry County received about 62 percent of its $1.6 million annual budget from various levels of government, with another 13 percent coming in charitable grants, 13 percent from donations and the rest from fundraisers and other sources.
If estimates from state workers are correct, the organization could receive $209,000 less in state aid in the fiscal year starting July 1. That amount is more than 10 percent of the agency’s annual budget and follows a 27 percent cut in state funding last year and the loss of a $179,000 federal grant.
“Even at this point, the problem is that we’re at June 10 and the only information is we’re at a 50 percent cut,” Farmer said. “And July 1 is only a few weeks away. That’s what makes it so troubling.”
Meanwhile, Farmer is discussing potential cuts with Turning Point board members. Ideas include reducing the agency’s hours, eliminating individual counseling appointments, cutting the staff who sit in on court cases or reducing the number of beds at the shelter, which can serve 21 women and children.
In 2008, Turning Point served 1,800 people, including 274 children who were victims of domestic violence and 123 adults in an intervention program for abusers.
