This hole marks the location of the former April House Children’s Advocacy Center, at 503 N. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. The building was owned by Whiteside County. On Tuesday, March 20, 2017, Milnes Construction of Morrison demolished the vacant house. “The water supply and electrical power had been cut off for months,” stated Whiteside County Sheriff Chief Deputy Andy Henson.
He added, “It was fun to watch! It was becoming an eyesore. [Recently,] it had an indoor pool in the basement, from flooding due to heavy rains.”
The new April House Children’s Advocacy Center hosted an Open House in its next-door location, 501 N. Madison Street, on Friday, September 12, 2014. April House is a short-term haven for child victims of abuse or violence. The building supports the work of Forensic Psychologist Johanna Hager. Here, in security and complete privacy, youngsters give testimony to Dr. Hager.
Unfortunately, the former structure was not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) Additionally, it was not able to be rehabilitated to bring it up to code. Due to that fact, previous State and Federal grant funds for operations of the facility were lost to Whiteside County. Grants paid for electricity, heat, and water, but also for child testing and physician’s fees.
Over several previous months, members of Sunshine Rotary, Rock Falls, IL, transformed the new structure with their donated labor efforts.
There are no plans as yet to use the lot or sell it, Henson said.