The Springfield-based Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault is struggling financially as a result of the long-running state budget impasse.
The organization "supports survivors of sexual violence, promotes healing and prevention and creates social change throughout Central Illinois," according to its website.
It has already had to scale back services and staff amid the state budget stalemate, now in its tenth month, and obtain a line of credit, reports the State Journal-Register. The organization, which depends on the state for about $189,000 of its $560,000 budget per year, could run out of money to operate as early as May 15.
Federal funds for the organization are expected to be released in July, the start of the new fiscal year. In the meantime, the agency is hoping to receive some financial support through fundraisers and private donations to continue operations.
"It's kind of day-by-day and week-by-week of asking, 'What do we have?' and 'How far can we make it?' We're relying on our community to help us close the gap. Hopefully, we won't have to close our doors," Prairie Center Executive Director Shelley Vaughan told the newspaper.
"We're not giving up," Vaughn added. "We're still calling our legislators and the governor's office. We're holding onto hope. We're not going to back down, because it's so important to our victims to have these services."