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.

Over 1M Illinois families rely on food stamps for Thanksgiving dinner

More than 1 million Illinois households will rely on federal food assistance for Thanksgiving. Eliminating the grocery tax could help those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

By Dylan Sharkey

Nearly 101,000 Chicago single moms, their children live on less than $13 per day

Of nearly 240,000 Chicagoans living on less than one-half of the federal poverty income level in 2022, nearly 101,000 of them were in households led by single mothers.

By Bryce Hill

Nearly 240,000 Chicagoans living on less than $19 a day

Living on less than half of the federal poverty level is considered “deep poverty.” That describes 53% of impoverished Chicagoans.

By Bryce Hill

Black, Brown Chicago neighborhoods endure highest poverty rates

Minority neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side and West Side face poverty rates of up to 51%.

By Bryce Hill

Female Chicagoans 21% more likely to be impoverished than males

The male-female poverty gap is higher in Chicago than in other cities.

By Bryce Hill

Poverty highest for Black, Asian Chicagoans; lower for white, Hispanic residents

Poverty in Chicago’s Black community is on the rise despite falling to record lows nationally.

By Bryce Hill

Matthew Hamer

Matthew Hamer grew up on Chicago’s South Side. In junior high, his family of four was evicted from their one-bedroom apartment, leaving them in homeless shelters. An abundance of hard work and the intervention of a highly committed teacher allowed Matthew and his brother, Levy, to graduate college and find successful careers. “I still remember...

Want to eradicate Chicago poverty? Create more full-time jobs

Data shows full-time, year-round employment virtually guarantees Chicagoans will live above the poverty line.

By Bryce Hill

How education impacts Chicago poverty

1 in 5 Chicagoans living in poverty has a bachelor’s degree. Those without a high school diploma are four times more likely to live in poverty.

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

Poverty in Chicago higher in 2022 than before War on Poverty

Nearly 60 years after the U.S. began the War on Poverty, the rate of Chicagoans living in poverty is higher than it was before the effort. National poverty rates have fluctuated between 11-15%, defying solutions and perpetuating dependence.

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

Chicago poverty higher than San Francisco, Los Angeles

Chicago has one of the highest poverty rates among the nation’s biggest cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

Wilbert Adams Jr.

"I had a good future in that field, but God had another plan and he changed my life. The addiction caused me to draw close to God, and God drew close to me and put me in his service.”

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare programs. In doing so,...

By Bryce Hill

Illinois can fight poverty by reducing excessive regulations that limit jobs

Data from the Mercatus Center shows Illinois faces a high regulatory burden at both the federal and state level. Research shows these regulations place a disproportionately high burden on the poor, helping to keep them in poverty.

By Joe Tabor