Probation fees help shelters

Proceeds from an increase in the monthly charge for defendants on probation in Kane County will help two domestic violence shelters.

Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge F. Keith Brown Tuesday presented the Community Crisis Center of Elgin and Mutual Ground of Aurora both with $1,500.

The funds come from Brown’s move to increase the maximum monthly probation fee from $25 to $50 last year.

As more people are put on probation, the hike could make $12,000 to $15,000 more each year to be doled out to organizations that help crime victims and scholarships.

“We expect larger checks in years to come,” Brown said. “These are two organizations that appropriately deserve it.”

For now, the Crisis Center, which serves and houses battered women and children from across the suburbs, will use the $1,500 to remodel the kitchen at their Elgin location, said Gretchen Vapnar, the center’s executive director. The kitchen is used by some 40 women and children.

Michelle Curry, executive director at Mutual Ground, said the money will be used to buy more computers for her staff of five court advocates, who currently are sharing just one computer. Having greater computer access can help court advocates serve victims better, including starting the process to obtain an order of protection online.

While the allocation was good news for both shelters, they still are in a tough spot because of the state’s budget mess.

The Elgin center and Mutual Ground are still owed an estimated $200,000 and $125,000, respectively, from the state and have or plan to apply for expedited funding from the state.

“We’re dedicated to keeping our doors open,” said Vapnar, who noted the center has a volunteer base of more than 200 people.