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.

Matt Nalett

“Even though it’s a crime against property, it’s still taking away peoples’ livelihoods."

The Policy Shop: Too much government licensing hurts jobseekers

This edition of The Policy Shop is by Director of Policy Research Joseph Tabor. If you are going to fly a plane filled with passengers, you should prove you are capable and be licensed. If you are going to cut open a person and prevent more heart attacks, again, you should prove your skills and...

Less than 1/3 of Chicago grads complete college in expected 4 years

Research finds less than one-third of Chicago Public Schools graduates earned their bachelor’s degree in the expected four years compared to nearly half nationally. That means more are likely to live in poverty.

By Hannah Schmid

Illinois makes it tough for poor to become barbers, makeup artists, manicurists

Personal care services such as cutting hair can be one of the more welcoming professions for those stuck in poverty. But Illinois imposes a heavy burden before they can get to work.

By Joe Tabor

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

This holiday season, nearly 2 million Illinoisans will rely on federal food assistance. Illinois is eighth in the country for highest reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

By Dylan Sharkey

Blue Pacheco-Cornejo

"“With all the student-athletes I work with, my goal is to get them to understand the importance of using that work ethic in everything; not just basketball."

Poverty 4X higher for Chicago high school dropouts than college grads

Poverty rates in Chicago drop with each level of educational attainment. Chicagoans without a high school diploma face poverty rates more than four times higher than those with bachelor’s degrees.

By Hannah Schmid

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

Employment is the clearest path out of poverty, but these five low-income professions face more occupational licensing burdens than others in Illinois.

By Joe Tabor

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

Occupational licensing is more burdensome in Illinois than in neighboring states for many professions. Those barriers are unreasonably keeping poor Illinoisans and Chicagoans from finding work.

By Joe Tabor

The Policy Shop: New jobs solve poverty faster than new taxes

This edition of The Policy Shop is by Head of Policy Josh Bandoch. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to help the homeless, but his plan for doing so likely involves creating more homeless people who will need help. More people to help requires more government. That requires more taxes. More taxes mean fewer businesses and...

Dr. Eddie Kornegay joins the Center for Poverty Solutions as executive director

Kornegay will lead the center’s outreach and partnership programs aimed at reducing Chicago poverty levels

Illinois licensing makes escaping poverty harder than in other Midwestern states

Illinois could make it easier to escape poverty by letting more people work without first getting a license. Six neighboring states do a better job of easing occupational licensing on low-income professions.

By Joe Tabor

Valentina Marieyah Pacheco-Cornejo

“We want to be a role model. We hope that others will do the same through development to uplift and restore our communities to what they were.”

The Policy Shop: Tackling Chicago’s deep poverty crisis

This edition of The Policy Shop is by Director of Fiscal and Economic Research Bryce Hill. You’ve got $19 today. Can you get through the day on just that? Food. Shelter. Clothes. Transportation. Even if you make it through today, can you do it again tomorrow? Then the day after? Then for years? No stress...