2009 Report on Chicago Region Poverty

The news is dire. The need is great. The resources are few. If we measure our success or worth on a financial balance sheet then there is good cause for hopelessness. But the measure of a person is not in their possessions or their position, but in the fact that they are created in the image of God and He loves them whatever their circumstances. This is a message of hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

President Obama stated in his inaugral address, "The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity, on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good." As we seek to expand opportunity to all citizens we must also recognize the need for safety net services for those citizens. Especially services that help empower individuals to get beyond the current crisis and move forward with stability and hope.

Administer Justice's pledge is a pledge of HOPE in difficult times. We will Help people Overcome through a Plan of Empowerment. Every person will receive help in some way, we will partner with others who can assist in overcoming all barriers to opportunity, we will assist in putting together a plan, and we will provide the tools and resources to empower the person to see the plan through. We will do this with the help of volunteers and donors who recognize the vast needs in our community and the difference Administer Justice makes in meeting those needs.

Here are those needs as identified by the comprehensive report released last week:

Two and a half percent of the population in Kane County entered poverty last year and it is projected that another seven percent will do so this year. That equates to 25.5% of the population - more than 129,000 people - are living below 200% of the federal poverty guideline (less than $44,000 for a family of 4). Kane County has the highest percentage rate outside of Chicago.

Kane County has the highest rate of unemployment in the Chicago area - even higher than Chicago - at 9.8%. The ripple effect from job loss is still being realized as savings evaporate. Kane County leads the suburbs in asset poverty rates - 16% - meaning they have less than 3 months poverty level savings. While the government seeks to address these issues through complex tax measures, there has been a dramatic increase of predatory refund anticipation loans to effectively strip families of badly needed benefits. The report found there is one payday licensing establishment for every 463 poor families while there is one McDonald's for every 780 poor families. This is why Administer Justice's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is critical in providing education and intervention in these tax areas.

Kane County has the highest non-graduation rate outside of Chicago with 10% of students not graduating. This will only contribute to the growing problem of unemployment and poverty. Unfortunately some of this is due to the 35% increase in homeless students.

Kane County has the highest uninsurance rate in the suburbs at 16.8%. Not having health insurance is another major contributing factor to poverty.

Kane County has the highest severely rent-burdened households in the suburbs at 24.6%. This means a family spends more than half their income on housing cost.

To read the full report visit: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/povertyreport/

All these areas intersect with the law and government on different levels. As one of only two low-income legal service providers in Kane County and the only low income tax service provider, we ask for your help in addressing these needs. Consider how you might be able to volunteer your time or donate to help us continue to meet the need. Visit our web site at http://www.administerjustice.org/ to learn more, to contact us, or to make a secure donation.