Illinois
State Government
Governor
J.B. Pritzker (D)
State Senate
40
Democrats,
19
Republicans
State House
78
Democrats,
40
Republicans
Economic well-being - Illinois
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.1
Minimum wage
15.0
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
11.6%
Unemployment rate
4.4
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
6.9
Poverty by demographic - Illinois
Child poverty rate
0.1
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
28000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
204000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
312000
Senior poverty rate
10.6 %
Women in poverty
6,308,481
The Belleville News-Democrat, October 13, 2013: (Op-Ed) Guest view: Don't let poverty disrupt learning
"Children from the lower economic strata of society may not be hampered by poverty as much as they are by lack of paren-tal, teaching and corporate support, as well as bad decisions made by some politicians, judges and legislators. I am appalled by decisions to uproot children from their home schools and send them by bus many miles away to non-failing' schools in more advantageous environments."
The Chicago Tribune, September 24, 2013: A race to help District 112's low-income students (Subscription Required)
"She referred to the 112 Education Foundation, which for the past five years has raised an average of about $101,000 per year to bolster the district. Among other uses, the money is allocated as grants for teachers with innovative classroom ideas and used to bring in authors for readings. It also helps to support the school district's growing number of low-income students, which this year has risen to almost a quarter of the student population."
The New York Times, June 13, 2013: Private preschools see more public funds as classes grow
"Now, as President Obama pushes a proposal to provide public preschool for all 4-year-olds from families with low or moderate incomes, his administration acknowledges that many children will attend classes outside the public schools."
The Chicago Tribune, June 11, 2013: Poverty grants necessary in seemingly wealthy Northbrook and Glenview schools, officials say
"Some experts criticize a rise in state poverty grant' money for wealthier school districts, including the ones in Glenview and Northbrook, but local administrators and parents say the funding is warranted and needed."
Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2013: Poverty grant money' needed even in wealthy school districts in Highland Park and Deerfield
"Some education experts say rich districts should not receive any of the money when impoverished districts are in more dire need. But local administrators say the money is necessary, and used specifically to address issues related to low-income students within their districts."
The Chicago Daily Herald, June 03, 2013: U-46 applying for help for increasing number of low-income students
"Research shows that students living in poverty have greater stress than their more well-off counterparts and have more behavioral and emotional problems that could lead to lower academic success. Title I funding addresses the added needs of low-income students when they get to school."