Larkin Center seeks county cash for staff's final paychecks
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The Ecker Center in Elgin has taken over some of the programs from the Larkin Center since it closed last week. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
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The Larkin Center in Elgin is appealing to the county to help pay some remaining payroll obligations. Larkin Center closed Oct. 18. Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
The Larkin Center mental health services agency in Elgin is asking Kane County for help paying its remaining employees for the next week, as it wraps up work after its sudden shutdown Oct. 18.
Kane County Board member Kurt Kojzarek of Gilberts is asking for $20,000 from the county's Grand Victoria Riverboat Casino fund. The fund's committee will consider the matter at a special meeting at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday at Elgin Community College.
Kojzarek said the money would pay for about 16 remaining employees who are still working on the transition of clients to new service providers.
Lawrence Hall Youth Services of Chicago has taken over Larkin's residential programs for youth, and its therapeutic day school. Ecker Center for Mental Health has taken on two adult residential programs and the community counseling program.
The riverboat funds are supposed to be used for projects that improve the county's education, environment, and economic development. The casino turns over 7.5 percent of its net adjusted operating income to the county, per an agreement it made when it received its state license.
The money is used for county expenses, but it also gives grants once a year to external agencies including cities, park districts and nonprofit groups. It awarded $1.1 million in external grants this year.
Larkin Center announced its closing Oct. 16 via a news release. It cited financial problems, but did not specify what exactly caused the problems. It had been working for 18 months to find another agency to take over all its programs, according to the news release.
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