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2008 Report on Illinois Poverty

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The eighth annual Report on Illinois Poverty showcases the struggle of Illinoisans in their efforts to make ends meet.

  • 1.5 million people in Illinois are living in poverty, 12.3 percent of the population.
  • Over 680,000 people in Illinois live in the most extreme form of poverty, living at or below half of the poverty line.
  • Over the past 6 years the number of Illinoisans in poverty has increased by 19 percent.
  • Increases in poverty pervaded all areas of Illinois, increasing in 74 of 102 counties.
  • In the Chicago region, the suburbs are now home to 41.5 percent of the region’s poor, up from 23.9 percent in 1980.

In addition to information on the scope of poverty in the state, discussion on the pathways out of poverty, and county-level data, the report highlights policy recommendations that together can help make strong, stable, and safe communities across Illinois that are poverty free.

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