Association for Individual Development (AID) announced that its 24/7 Living Room crisis respite program in Aurora has officially closed after losing State funding due to a technical funding glitch, ending a service that has helped more than 1,200 individuals experiencing mental health crises since opening in January 2024.
The closure leaves a significant gap in southern Kane County’s behavioral health crisis response system and impacts the second-largest city in Illinois.
The AID Living Room provided adults experiencing a mental health crisis with immediate access to a safe, welcoming environment where they could stabilize, connect with trained support staff, develop safety plans, and receive referrals to additional services. The program was available regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Since opening, the Living Room has demonstrated remarkable outcomes. More than 99% of guests were able to avoid hospitalization after receiving support, reducing strain on emergency departments while providing compassionate, person-centered care.
“This is a heartbreaking day for our organization and our community,” said Lore Baker, president and CEO of AID. “Due to a technical funding glitch, we were forced to close a program that has provided hope, healing, and support to people experiencing mental health crises at any hour of the day or night. This is a tremendous loss for Aurora and the surrounding communities, but we are not giving up. We will continue fighting to restore funding so this essential service can reopen.”
AID is urging residents, community leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates to call governor Pritzker’s Chicago office Monday, July 14, and urge him to restore funding so the AID Living Room can reopen. Call 312-814-2121 and request emergency funding to restore the program.
“Southern Kane County cannot afford to lose this critical resource,” Baker said. “Mental health crises don’t stop because funding disappears. Our community deserves access to compassionate, effective crisis care.”
For more information about AID visit aidcares.org.
— Association for Individual Development