It has been more than 20 years since rape crisis centers in Illinois received a meaningful increase in state support. These organizations, which serve survivors of unimaginable violence, are being forced to run with less money, low wages and fewer employees.

It is time our state invested in vital programs that provide hope and healing by putting $20 million in General Revenue Funds toward sexual assault survivor services.

State funds are long overdue, and current conditions are increasing the urgency. Everyone is feeling the squeeze of inflation, including rape crisis centers and their staff. While the cost of living and providing services have risen, federal support has evaporated. In the 2024 fiscal year, key funding was slashed in half when Victims of Crime Act grants were cut by $9.3 million. Another 40% reduction is expected next year. Illinois’ government has yet to step up despite the distressing impact on our communities.

As the executive director and CEO of Clove Alliance, the rape crisis center serving Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties, I see the damage firsthand. Like our fellow centers, we are certified by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault to provide crisis support, tenacious advocacy and healing counseling for survivors while also running violence prevention programs. However, we are struggling to sustain our operations, which shape when, where and even if a survivor can get care. Some have already had to go without.

Nearly half of our state’s centers have had to create waiting lists for counseling, and 1,400 fewer survivors are expected to get in-person services this fiscal year compared to last. Fourteen hospitals no longer receive 24/7 emergency response from center staff. My organization has had to put planned hiring and long-term goals on hold. In all, 57% of centers have reduced staff, and five satellite offices have shut down completely.

Centers’ staff are highly skilled at providing crucial trauma-informed services, but those who remain face uncertain job security, excessive workloads and dismal compensation. A recent study revealed sexual assault crisis workers earn significantly less than their counterparts in other human services areas, with median salaries lagging behind by 33%.

For some positions, the disparity is even more striking. For example, center pay for counselors with a master’s degree averages 73% lower than their peers. Many of these workers are survivors themselves and feel passionately about helping others who have lived through abuse and assault. They are doing their best to serve, but limited resources and overwhelming demands are pushing them to the brink.

Many workers have made the difficult choice to step away. This exodus intensifies service shortfalls, high turnover, waitlists and center closures. It all limits survivors’ access to essential services.

It’s cruel to make a survivor put their mental health on hold as they wait for a chance to talk with a counselor. It’s callous to tell a survivor they need to travel 40 miles to reach the nearest rape crisis center for support. Failing to provide a supportive advocate during a sexual assault exam is compassionless. This lack of support can significantly affect survivors’ ability to heal and pursue justice. Yet, this is the fallout of failing to fund rape crisis centers.

Illinois lawmakers have the power to change this story by allocating a fair share of funding for rape crisis service. Investing $20 million will enable centers to eliminate waitlists, restore services wiped out by cuts, reinstate vital positions, raise salaries to a fair and livable rate, retain driven staff and more.

Let your lawmakers know that survivors and those who work tirelessly on their behalf need support.

Your legislators’ contact details are at ilga.gov.

Tracey Noe-Slach is the executive director and CEO of Clove Alliance, the rape crisis center serving Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties. She sees firsthand how funding shortfalls directly impact survivors in our community and those who work to support their healing.

This guest viewpoint was originally published in the Daily Journal on May 16, 2024