The Interstate 24 rest stop in Metropolis is shut down due to the state budget gridlock - and a local social service agency says it's more than just an inconvenience for them.
The MAP Training Center in Karnak provides day-training and support for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. It also has a contract with IDOT that allows some of their clients to work, cleaning the rest area and maintaining the grounds.
Center Executive Director Bob Putney says that contract is on hold now, and ten of his clients and five staff members are affected.
"Certainly they are concerned. Their paychecks are going to be smaller now, because of this loss of opportunity. Certainly it impacts them, that's the money they relied on to buy personal care items - you know, shopping, food, things like that."
Putney says the clients and staffers will report to the training center in Karnak for now, but he's not sure how much longer they can avoid layoffs if state funding doesn't return.
An IDOT Spokesman says the agency is working to keep rest area facilities open, and minimize the impact on the driving public.
