Child Poverty in Winnebago County

Chronicle Media

Child poverty rates in Illinois and Winnebago County remain higher than pre-recession levels and are much higher than in 2000, according to the Illinois Kids Count 2015 report, Confronting Poverty, Creating Opportunity.

Local community leaders shared statewide key findings and Winnebago County data from the report during a recent news conference hosted by United Way of Rock River Valley.

“We want our children to succeed in school and life,” said Paul Logli, CEO/President of United Way of Rock River Valley. “But we can’t help our children if we don’t provide opportunities for their families to succeed. We need to encourage families, organizations, business leaders, policymakers, and everyone who cares about children in Illinois to make collective choices that will truly afford greater opportunities for all.”

Speakers also provided local perspectives on how growing up in poverty can have adverse effects on the education, income, and health of our children and families, and offered key strategies for moving forward.

The new report, released by Voice for Illinois Children, reveals that the extent and persistence of child poverty reflect not only the lingering effects of the Great Recession, but longer-term economic trends as well. Child poverty rates are likely to remain high even as the economy improves. About one in five children in our state — more than 600,000 — live in poverty. Locally, the poverty rate in Winnebago County rose from 13 percent in 1999 to 27 percent in 2012 (statewide poverty rate rose from 14 percent to 21 percent within the same period).

The report also identifies policies at both the federal and state levels that have been effective in alleviating and reducing child poverty.

Over 30 members from local community organizations were on hand during the local release of the Illinois Kids Count 2015 report earlier this month. United Way was one of 11 sites throughout the State to host a local release event.

For more information on Illinois Kids Count 2015 report, contact Nancy Castagnet with Voices for Illinois Children at (312) 451-1747 or email ncastagnet@voices4kids.org.

 

KEY FINDINGS

Child Poverty in Winnebago County

Child poverty rates: The child poverty rate in Winnebago County rose from 13% in 1999 to 27% in 2012. Over the same period of time, the statewide child poverty rate rose from 14% to 21%.

Child poverty population: From 1999 to 2012, the number of children living in poverty in Winnebago County increased 97%, compared with 39% statewide.

Deep poverty: In 2012, 15% of children in Winnebago County were in deep poverty (below 50% of poverty level), compared with 9% statewide.

Demographics: In 2011, the child poverty population in Winnebago County was 34% Black, 32% Latino, and 28% White.