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Health care
Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
3:26pm
Tue Jun 11

Report Reveals 1 In 5 Schools Considered 'High-Poverty'

About one in five public schools was classified as high-poverty in 2011, according to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics.

In comparison, about one in eight schools was considered high-poverty in 2000. Schools are labeled high-poverty when 75 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Over the past two decades, the percentage of school-age children living in poverty has also increased, according to the report, “The Condition of Education 2013." 

“If poverty is increasing, there should be an increase in support for education, and instead our education policies nationally and locally are going the opposite direction,” said Pauline Lipman, professor of educational policy studies and director of the Collaborative for Equity and Justice in Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
4:38pm
Fri Jun 7

Half Of America’s Seniors Have Dangerously Low Incomes, New Report Shows

Nearly half of the country’s senior citizens are economically vulnerable, a new report from the Economic Policy Institute finds.

About 19.9 million, or 48 percent, of America’s seniors have incomes that are less than two times the supplemental poverty line, according to the report.

Jo Reed, director of the Elder Economic Security Initiative at Wider Opportunities for Women, said it is often poorly understood just how economically vulnerable older adults are, particularly women and people of color. Senior debt levels are also reaching record levels, she explained.

“We want to call attention to this reality, and based on this do everything we can to ensure that there are programs and policies in place that bolster the economic security for our elderly,” Reed said.

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
6:57pm
Fri May 31

As U.S. House Works On Immigration Reform Bill, Health Care Remains An Area Of Contention (VIDEO)

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D, IL-4) said one of the most challenging aspects of comprehensive immigration reform is providing health care to America’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, without spending taxpayer dollars.

“We have to figure out how to keep (undocumented immigrants) healthy, how to make sure they continue to get medical treatment and don’t become a charge [to taxpayers],” he said.

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
4:34pm
Wed May 29

Push Back Against Koch Brothers' Potential Tribune Purchase Continues With National Day Of Action (VIDEO)

Protesters are ramping up advocacy against the potential sale of all or some of the Tribune Company to the conservative billionaire Koch brothers with a nationwide day of action. Meanwhile, the number of signatures on various online petitions has risen to more than 500,000.

“We will not sell our freedom of speech. We will not sell our right to have independent news. We will not sell the City of Chicago,” said Shani Smith, 38, a project organizer with Stand Up! Chicago. “We are here for senior citizens, for children, for working families, and that’s what we stand for. If the Koch brothers don’t stand for it, they most certainly cannot buy the Chicago Tribune.”

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