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Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
12:11pm
Mon Jun 27, 2016
4 comments

Illinois Expands Reach Of Summer Meal Programs, But 686,000 Kids Still Missing Out

More low-income Illinois children are participating in summer meal programs, but there are still nearly 686,000 eligible kids missing out, a new report shows.

About 112,000 low-income Illinois children received summer meals on a daily basis last July, according to the report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a national anti-hunger group.

That figure represents a 4.7 percent increase from July 2014, when about 107,000 low-income Illinois children accessed summer meal programs each day.

While advocates are pleased by the 4.7 percent increase, they point out that summer meals are reaching only one in seven low-income Illinois children who need them.

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
4:25pm
Tue Jun 21, 2016
38 comments

Kids Count Report: Child Well-Being A Mixed Bag In Illinois

Illinois

A new report shows some good and bad news on how children are faring in Illinois.

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
3:48pm
Wed Jun 15, 2016
25 comments

Illinois Child Care Assistance Program Serves 55,000 Fewer Children After Rauner Budget Cuts, Union Claims (UPDATED)

State of Illinois

SEIU Healthcare Illinois officials say the state’s Child Care Assistance Program is now serving 55,000 fewer children because of budget cuts made by the Rauner administration. 

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
2:18pm
Tue Jun 14, 2016

Chicago Housing Authority CEO Lauds Progress On Controversial Plan For Transformation, Advocates Remain Skeptical

Housing

Chicago Housing Authority CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. spoke at the City Club of Chicago Monday afternoon, detailing the agency’s progress toward reaching a key goal under the original Plan for Transformation and lauding the agency’s success. But some housing advocates are not that impressed.

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
3:54pm
Wed May 25, 2016
5 comments

Illinois Renters Must Earn Nearly $20 An Hour To Afford A Modest Two-Bedroom Apartment, Report Finds

Minimum wage earners in Illinois must work 97 hours a week, year round to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in the state, according to the annual “Out of Reach” report for 2016.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition and Housing Action Illinois jointly released the report, which shows that the gap between wages and rents continues to widen both nationally and in Illinois.

The Fair Market Rent (FMR) price for a two-bedroom unit in Illinois is $1,039, up from $977 last year. That means Illinois renters must now earn $19.98 per hour, or at least $41,567 annually, to afford a two-bedroom apartment without paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing. 

Overall, Illinois has the nation’s 16th most expensive two-bedroom housing wage. Nationally, the average wage necessary to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental is $20.30.

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
3:03pm
Wed May 25, 2016
5 comments

Fast Food Workers Protest In Chicago Ahead Of McDonald’s Annual Shareholder Meeting (VIDEO)

Fight For $15

Progress Illinois provides highlights from the first of several Fight for $15 protests happening in Chicago this week ahead of McDonald’s annual shareholder meeting. 

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