Domestic violence calls on the increase during this COVID-19 pandemic is not just a Mercer County issue. Western Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos was asked about that subject this week during a weekly press call with reporters. Mercer County Sheriff Dusty Terrill reported to the county board earlier this week that domestic violence calls were up 27-percent in the county since the pandemic in mid-March.
The Illinois Radio Network reported this week that domestic violence calls were up 51-percent in the city of Rockford over the past month, while Elgin’s numbers have gone up 56 percent. Calls in Chicago have jumped around 20 percent since the stay-at-home order went into effect.
Anyone who needs assistance is urged to call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338, including those who might be looking for help for a friend or loved one. And locally in Mercer County, you can call the Mercer County Family Crisis Center—24 hours a day, seven days at week at 582-7233.