"We, the People of the State of Illinois… in order to… eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois."

-Illinois Constitution

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is extreme poverty?
2. Is extreme poverty a problem in Illinois?
3. Where are families living in extreme poverty located?
4. Is a particular group of people more likely to be living in extreme poverty?
5. How is extreme poverty a human rights issue?
6. Why not simply introduce legislation that would help those living in extreme poverty? Why create a campaign and talk about extreme poverty as a human rights issue?
7. Is poverty a human rights issue in the United States?
8. Does Illinois have history of recognizing extreme poverty as a human rights issue?
9. What are the components to the campaign?
10. How can I be involved?

1. What is extreme poverty?

Extreme (or deep) poverty is defined as a family living on in income at 50% of the poverty line or below.  In 2007, that translates to a family of four living on $10,310 a year or less.  To put this number in context, if a family of four in extreme poverty was renting a two-bedroom apartment at the current fair market rent of $829 a month, they would have $362 left for all other expenses for the entire year.

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2. Is extreme poverty a problem in Illinois?

According to the latest census statistics, 681,786 individuals in Illinois (or 5.5% of the population) live in extreme poverty – roughly the entire population of South Dakota.  Illinois has one of the highest extreme poverty rates of any state in the Midwest.

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3. Where are families living in extreme poverty located?

Every county in Illinois has individuals living in extreme poverty.  That being said, there are certain areas that have higher extreme poverty levels, such as some south and west side neighborhoods in Chicago and some counties in far southern Illinois.  In fact, Jackson County, in the southwest corner of the state, has an extreme poverty rate of over 13%, which is higher than the state's regular poverty rate.

4. Is a particular group of people more likely to be living in extreme poverty?

Individuals from every race, ethnic group, age and gender live in extreme poverty.  However, there are some groups more prone to living in extreme poverty. For example:

• Senior women are 61% more likely to be living in extreme poverty than senior men. 
• Individuals without a high school diploma are more than three times more likely to be living in extreme poverty than someone with a college degree
• One in thirty-three white Non-Hispanics in Illinois are in extreme poverty, while slightly over one in five African-Americans are.
• Working age women that have never married are 68% more likely to be living in extreme poverty than working age men that have never married.

5. How is extreme poverty a human rights issue?

Everyone should have the opportunity to put a roof over their head, food on the table and give their kids a chance at a bright future.  As Americans, we place a high value on ensuring everyone has the chance to improve their lives and makes ends meet.  However, those living in extreme poverty have too many barriers in their way and are subsequently excluded from opportunity. 

This American value is also a human rights value.  Our ability to exercise our civil and political rights are dependent on the stability of our lives.  When barriers such as homelessness, no work or low-paying work and hunger stand in our way, we cannot fully participate in society.  Consequently, the absence of economic security is the absence of human rights.  Living in extreme poverty is an acute example of the deprivation of opportunity – the deprivation of human rights.

6. Why not simply introduce legislation that would help those living in extreme poverty? Why create a campaign and talk about extreme poverty as a human rights issue?

Currently, at both the national and state levels, we rely on a patchwork of inadequately funded programs to address poverty.  These programs fail to look comprehensively at core causes of poverty, let alone provide adequately resourced solutions.  One reason for the ineffectiveness of this approach is that much of the resources put into alleviating poverty are discretionary – money and energy that is spent only after "core obligations" are addressed. 

The human rights framework allows us to take a step back at look at the solutions to extreme poverty in a new way.  When we recognize our history as a nation that believes everyone should have an opportunity to work, to provide for his or her family, to engage in society, how we prioritize our resources changes.  We again recognize our obligation to address the needs of the most marginalized and place a high priority on crafting the solutions to extreme poverty.  We re-commit ourselves to establishing a comprehensive vision and a workable plan that supports that vision.  Thus, the campaign is a critical component to facilitating this paradigm shift.  We need to think about our freedoms in new inventive ways, have conversations across interest areas and use our collective knowledge to press for real opportunity.

7. Is poverty a human rights issue in the United States?

Yes. The United States has signed several international documents that include freedom from poverty in their understanding of human rights. In fact, the United States was a primary actor in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As original signer of this document, the United States has clearly stated it believes in a comprehensive vision of human rights, including:

Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

The United Nations has done ample work recently on human rights and extreme poverty, including looking at extreme poverty in the United States.  As noted by Arjun Sengupta, the United Nation's Independent Expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty stated in his report on the United States:

"There is no national anti-poverty legislation in the United States, but rather, a patchwork of different laws addressing aspects of poverty in a limited manner…This policy of the United States is in direct conflict with the fundamental moral values that the United States, both its Government and people, has upheld in the name of freedom throughout its constitutional history… If the United States adopted a comprehensive national strategy and programmes based on human rights principles it would be possible to reduce poverty and eradicate extreme poverty…"

8. Does Illinois have history of recognizing extreme poverty as a human rights issue?

The state of Illinois has a strong history of embedding human rights values in its guiding documents.  The Illinois constitution states in its preamble:

"We, the People of the State of Illinois… in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois."

In addition, the Illinois Human Rights Act says it is the public policy of Illinois:

"to promote the public health, welfare and safety by protecting the interest of all people in Illinois in maintaining personal dignity, in realizing their full productive capacities, and in furthering their interests, rights and privileges as citizens of this State."

9. What are the components to the campaign?

The campaign will utilize several tools to inform, guide, and develop a Poverty Elimination Strategy.  The Poverty Elimination Strategy is a specific plan with measurable benchmarks that has the overall goal of reducing extreme poverty in Illinois by 50% by 2015. 

• The working group will be composed of advocates, those living in poverty and policy leaders from around the state.  The working group will guide, inform and actively engage in the campaign.
• Hold Public Hearings & Action Forums throughout Illinois so elected officials can hear problems and solutions directly from those in their district experiencing poverty and subsequently develop a multi-issue Poverty Elimination Strategy for Illinois.
• Advance the tangible legislative and administrative reforms set forth in the Poverty Elimination Strategy to reduce extreme poverty in Illinois by 50% in 2015.

10. How can I be involved?

Heartland Alliance, as the primary sponsor of the campaign, invites individuals and organizations to be involved in any number of ways.  You can formally endorse the campaign , join the working group, encourage your legislator to support the campaign, help with statewide hearings , or provide input to the Poverty Elimination Strategy.  Contact us to get involved.