Center for Poverty Solutions

Poverty loses when human dignity prevails

America has lost the War on Poverty. After nearly 60 years and $12 trillion, the poverty rate remains stuck between 11% and 15%. We’ve focused on making poverty more bearable rather than helping people escape a trap that lasts for generations. We’ve created dependence and taken people’s dignity and purpose. There are better ways to treat people, and we will bring free-market solutions to one of the most important policy issues of our time through the Center for Poverty Solutions, starting in Chicago. Together, we can defeat poverty and build self-worth.

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

Oregon made statewide changes in its zoning policies to help keep housing prices affordable. Many states have followed its lead. Illinois should, too.

By Ravi Mishra

Shenita Muse

Shenita Muse leads the Hope Center Foundation, which is leading an effort to fix Chicago’s gridlocked housing market in some of the city’s most needy areas. “Reclaiming Communities” is an initiative to build or rehab 2,000 homes on the city’s South Side and West Side. The homes will then be sold to residents who have...

Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families

Illinois lags other states on approvals for new housing. It has one of the lowest rates for housing approvals in the United States. That drives up costs.

By Ravi Mishra

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

Democratic delegates are gone, but hotel housing should stay

Clean-up efforts for the Democratic National Convention included putting Chicago’s homeless in hotels used as temporary shelters. Though the celebrity-filled week has ended, this affordable housing approach should be expanded.

By LyLena Estabine

Chicago’s average rent rises to $2,200, up 46% in 10 years

Rent is unaffordable for half of Chicagoans, averaging $2,200 a month. The key to affordable housing is to build more housing, but that won’t happen until city government reduces its role.

By Benjamin O'Donnell

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in March 2024. Alexander and Pulaski counties led the state with 34% of residents receiving SNAP benefits.

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

VIDEO: Why housing is so pricey in Illinois

Government restrictions on zoning and land use are making Illinois housing and rents more expensive then they need to be.

By Jess Plowman

The Policy Shop: How government costs us affordable housing

Government in Illinois has a lot to do with why housing costs are so high. Zoning and land-use reforms can boost the supply of affordable housing without forcing taxpayers to subsidize it.

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

Chicago committee looks at free-market solution to affordable housing

Josh Bandoch, head of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, testimony about how accessory dwelling units can help fix Chicago’s affordable housing shortage. City regulations and mandates can derail this free-market solution, though.

By Josh Bandoch

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their heads. Housing affordability problems...

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

Illinois’ college-first approach isn’t working

Many people still view a college degree as a requirement into the workforce and toward future prosperity. The data beg to differ.

By Larry Han

The K-12 achievement gap in Illinois holds low-income students back

In 2023, just 35.4% of Illinois public school students were proficient in reading and 27.1% in math. For low-income students in particular, the numbers were distressingly lower.

By Larry Han

Illinois’ declining labor force participation rate explains stubborn poverty rate

Data shows Illinoisans who would have been working a generation ago are not today.

By Chris Coffey