THE STATE IS PUMPING MORE MONEY INTO INCREASING SHELTER SPACE FOR THE HOMELESS THIS WINTER. 

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS ANNOUNCING AN ADDITIONAL FIVE MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SHELTERS SAYS SPOKESPERSON MARISA KOLLIAS.

KOLLIAS SAYS THE NEED IS ESPECIALLY GREAT IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS, WHERE EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE FULL AND OVER 700 PEOPLE INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS ARE ON WAITING LISTS.

IT’S ESTIMATED THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF OVER FOUR THOUSAND EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS ACROSS THE STATE.