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 New York Times, February 17, 2012: Questioning Fairness of a Detention Fee
"Though Noble officials say waivers and payment plans are available, 90 percent of students are low-income, raising questions about the affordability of discipline fees. "I can't imagine that a policy like this wouldn't result in some families leaving,' Mr. Welner said."
Belleville News-Democrat, February 10, 2012: By the numbers: Metro-east children at risk
"One in five children in Illinois live in poverty, according to Illinois Kids Count 2012 data released Thursday by the organization Voices for Illinois Children. The organization released its 2012 data Thursday morning at various locations throughout the state, including East St. Louis, and the report shows an economy that is still struggling with poverty and a high joblessness rate."
Chicago Tribune, February 1, 2012: Educators say funding key to reducing dropouts
"Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing state lawmakers to raise the age students can legally drop out of school from 17 to 18, a move aimed at improving graduation rates but one that local educators say won't accomplish much unless the state also provides the money to keep at-risk students in school."
The State Journal- Register, January 26, 2012: More people in 90s creates demand for more services
"The state's Community Care Program serves about 80,000 low-income people 60 and older. About 10 percent of the program's clients are 90 or older, according to Mary Killough, deputy director of the Illinois Department on Aging."
Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2012: RTA cards upset seniors
"The problem follows a messy transition in summer from free-ride RTA permits for riders 65 and older on the CTA, Metra and Pace to a reduced-fare permit that took effect Sept. 1 for most seniors. Low-income seniors can still ride for free under a program originally introduced by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich four years ago."
Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2012: Longer school day may be too much for some children, parents say
"But the longer school day debate has exposed the social divide in a district with 86 percent of students classified as low-income, but with a growing number of middle- and upper-middle-income families speaking out against across-the-board district policies.Parents from poorer communities -- who may not have extracurricular options available in their neighborhood -- are welcoming the chance for their children to be off the street and in school longer."