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* Stephanie Esters at The Southern…
The door opens and two teenage-looking girls look over at the guests, their eyes wide, before they return to the work in front of them, while an older woman, perhaps their mother, seems to relax at a chair in a corner, watching as a toddler plays with toys.
Another mom, with a smiling toddler in tow, finishes a call on the community phone downstairs and walks back up the stairs to the family living space she shares with other female parents and their children.
In the kitchen on the main level, another woman is making sandwiches, asking for help in loosening the lid on a jar of grape jelly.
This is life in The Women’s Center, a safe house for women and children who are victimized by domestic violence and those who are needing an advocate and help after they have been victimized by sexual assault. The center, which operates the Domestic Assault Program and the Rape Crisis Center, serves 1,400 people a year, about 250 of them in the sexual assault awareness program.
All those individuals that the program helps, though, are in danger of not having any place in the region to get help, if much-needed state aid does not come through by the end of June, its executive director Cathy McClanahan said. On Friday, there were 21 women and children living at the facility, which has a capacity for 36 people.
The center’s operating budget is $1.4 million, 80 percent of which comes from state funding.
These human beings are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Kicking them to the curb is just downright immoral.
Find. Another. Way.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:46 pm
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Waiting for some green shoots to help with this.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t think that morality is ever an issue with Rauner. Like most uber-capitalists, he believes that the market system merely “is.” In this view, capitalism generates winners and losers in an amoral, value-neutral, fashion. Of course, this perspective provides cover for a lot of immoral actions. Rauner would rather have lower taxes than show compassion for folks who need help.
Comment by Scamp640 Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:01 pm
disgraceful.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Why not organize a ‘go fund me’ type site to encourage people to donate to support the center? I know I would, I bet most people who read Cap Fax would too. If just 10K people contributed $100 they would almost be whole.
Comment by Maguffin Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:17 pm
“Bruce has no social agenda” — other than leveraging the desperation of the state’s most vulnerable to enact his partisan anti-union agenda.
Comment by slow down Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:18 pm
This is by design and desire from the gov. create tragedy so that people rise up and beg him to hurt unions in exchange for spcial services.
honestly the man could care less about the people he has harmed to get where he is, and will harm. they are just impediments to his wealth the needy are. He could be even richer w/o taxes. 9 homes isnt enough
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Maguffin, There is a Crowdrise site where The Women’s Center is trying to raise funds. There is a link to it in the article in the Southern. Here is another link: https://www.crowdrise.com/the-womens-center-inc-fundraiser/fundraiser/thewomensctr
Comment by Red eft Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Why blame Rauner and not Madigan? Rauner has stated he will raise taxes (go against his core principles) if he gets reforms which will fix the state.
IMHO, Madigan looks at it like a math problem without concern for the human element.
I don’t think we’ll have a budget for years.
Comment by Rhino Slider Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Maguffin, better yet take the initiative to check on a small social service agency near you. If you are a churchgoer call the church and ask who could use help. Then help, get others to help. It does works. Be personally “impactful” (my new favorite word gratis OW. The kids are going to get so sick of me saying this one.) Not trying to be a putz with this suggestion. I strongly believe we all need to personally take a stand and help our state.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:28 pm
“He could be even richer w/o taxes. 9 homes isnt enough”
Well said! I doubt if it will ever be enough.
This Scientific America article agrees:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-wealth-reduces-compassion/
Comment by Ole' Nelson Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:29 pm
===Rauner has stated he will raise taxes (go against his core principles) if he gets reforms which will fix the state.===
And how exactly will those reforms “fix” the state? Please be specific.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Red Eft…thank you. Done.
Comment by Maguffin Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 3:42 pm
House Republicans, you can get this done. You can save social services and higher education and get through some pro-business reforms. You could pile up more wins than you’ve had in decades. Illinois needs your voice.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Oh - Rhino Slider -, please keep up.
Rauner wants this. Ask Ron Sandack…
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15
Rauner is choosing. - Rhino Slider -, and Ron Sandack thinks things like this happening only frustrates him, but…
… you get the idea…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Maybe Dunkin should reach into his failed campaign fund and help these poor souls. No snark intended.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:15 pm
–Why not organize a ‘go fund me’ type site to encourage people to donate to support the center? I know I would, I bet most people who read Cap Fax would too. If just 10K people contributed $100 they would almost be whole.–
Okay, that’s one.
Lutheran Social Services shut down 30 programs and laid off 750 people in January.
The state is stiffing Catholic Charities to the tune of $2 million a month. Charitable contributions don’t cover the administrative nut.
There are dozens more taking the same, unexpected mind you, hit. I don’t think GoFund me is going to cut it.
Keep in mind, these organizations have state contracts for their work. This work used to be done by state employees receiving pensions and benefits.
Contracting with the not-for-profits was privatization, which used to be a thing among Republicans.
The governor chose to veto all approps. but K-12. That was a political choice to advance an unrelated political agenda. That, on its face, is immoral. That’s why it’s unprecedented.
He could have used reduction or line-item vetoes if these social service programs were of concern to him.
But, as we were told, “Bruce has no social agenda.”
So we have the Darwinesque “squeeze the beast” policy for the “necessary shakeout” goal.
Those that don’t make it, ain’t coming back.
And those that do, you can bet they’re going to take a haircut on what they’re owed, if they get anything at all.
But the governor has been able to keep every single GOP legislator on line with him on this.
Without them, he couldn’t have done it. And that’s a shame.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:15 pm
==Why blame Rauner and not Madigan? Rauner has stated he will raise taxes (go against his core principles) if he gets reforms which will fix the state.==
Sometimes I wonder what some of you are thinking when you look at these stories. Do you comment on the tragedy of this? Nope. You drive the conversation right back to who is to blame more for what is going on and giving us some talking point about how the Governor wants to fix this if only he would get his agenda. It’s really no wonder we haven’t had a solution to this nightmare yet. Too many people have the first reaction to this that you did. Gotta figure out who to blame. Solutions are secondary.
I’m really sick of it all. Enough with the “who’s to blame” stuff.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:15 pm
===Why not organize a ‘go fund me’ type site===
These organizations already raise private donations. It’s why the state gets such a great deal on these services. So, if you want to contribute, fine. But don’t think you can just feel great about yourself when billions of dollars are not being appropriated.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:19 pm
===Why not organize a ‘go fund me’ type site===
We did. It was called ‘taxes’
Sorry for the snark, but in all seriousness, this is why we pay taxes. To support government services.
Comment by Darren72 Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:35 pm
What is “Sock Puppertry”?
Comment by JLR Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:44 pm
=== What is “Sock Puppetry”? ===
Google is your friend. I know, I looked it up years ago.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:53 pm
At what point are we all going to stop acting like this is collateral damage?
Sure, the first couple of social services to go down could have been the result of Bruce Rauner’s political ignorance. But this many for this long? Come on!
If my neighbor was starving his dog to death, I wouldn’t say, “Golly, I’ll bet he’s just a novice pet owner trying a new approach to canine husbandry.” I would report him to the police and he would go to jail.
And if he told the judge that it was really his kids fault because he’d warned them that he wouldn’t feed the dog until they’d improved their grades? The judge wouldn’t drag the kids in to see why they weren’t compromising with their father. He’d recognize that the problem was the sadist who’d used a starving dog as leverage.
But here we sit, day after day, with scores of social services being starved right before our eyes — and we’re still wondering if this is something other than deliberate cruelty? Are you kidding?
There wouldn’t be any doubt if the innocent victim of Bruce Rauner’s plan was a dog.
Why does he still get the benefit of the doubt when his victims are our weakest and most vulnerable neighbors?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:54 pm
Live with the violence or become homeless. Great choice moving forward for these victims.
No social agenda = no social services. Works for Rauner.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:55 pm
“Ramsey Lake State Rec Area and Horseshoe Lake State Park closed “indefinitely” after electrical and trash service cut off. Budget fallout.”
Another hostage died.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 5:06 pm
==@MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:54 pm: ==
You made a great point.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 5:08 pm
–At what point are we all going to stop acting like this is collateral damage?–
Took me a few months.
The complete lack of any rational ROI for the hostage-strategy was the catalyst (still waiting on those “revised” figures from the governor, Rich?).
Nobody in business undertakes such radical, destructive actions without lots of data that the projected return will be worth it.
Sen. Radogno’s “squeeze the beast” for the “necessary shakeout” interview with Bernie helped.
So did the administration’s letter to social service providers offering to set them up with a facilitator of mergers.
But really, after a few months, it’s just common sense.
If you had the power of the Illinois governor, and you didn’t want this to be happening, it wouldn’t be happening.
It’s absurd to pretend otherwise.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 5:10 pm
MrJM +1000
Best analogy so far.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 5:49 pm
Rich, you must be having a bad day. I was trying, individually, to help battered women, after reading about their problems in your blog. I wasn’t trying to feel good about myself, have no control over the billions you reference, know that most of these ‘organizations’ raise private funds, and would debate, over a beer, ‘what a great deal’ a totally broke state gets for using taxes for selected causes. Like the Quinn program recently in the news?
Comment by Maguffin Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 6:12 pm
MrJM - perfect.
Comment by Lt. Guv. Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 6:13 pm
Traumatized women and children will be in jeopardy and at risk of future violence until Radogno and Durkin decide to let their members vote their consciences and interests, or until some renegade Republicans pull a Braveheart.
This is the face of Beast-Squeez-2016.
It’s ugly.
It’s Rauner.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 6:37 pm
What did Karen Lewis call the Governor today??? I’m not too sure if she deserves all the outrage and criticism for her comment(s) after reading posts such as these day after day.
Comment by Ms. SHEESH Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 6:43 pm
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
Very well said.
Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 9:13 pm
Amend. The. Pension. Clause.
Comment by Amend Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 10:01 pm
- At what point are we all going to stop acting like this is collateral damage? -
Better let the Rich know, that’s the very premise of this post.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 5:27 am