An Illinois police force reports being summoned to people’s homes on domestic disputes twice as frequently this year as last.

The prosecutor’s office there similarly reports prosecuting twice as many misdemeanor domestic violence cases (less serious assaults and violations of orders of protection) now as in the past.

The reason?

The weak economy. Loss of jobs. More time at home. More stress. Less money.

Twenty-four percent more people have been availing themselves of services from shelters, and shelters have been full every night.

Law enforcement suggests that many of the incidents occur on a Friday, because that is a common payday, the beginning of the weekend and people drink over the weeked.

Police officers try to defuse tensions, often suggesting that one of the disputants leave for the night.

Read more in this Elburn [IL] Herald article: Domestic dispute reports on the rise.