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.

How We Serve

The Center for Poverty Solutions works to identify and advance free-market policies that remove barriers to work and empower Chicagoans to move out of poverty and into full-time employment. By conducting original research, fostering partnerships between community leaders and employers and working to turn locally proven solutions into city and state law, the center helps ensure that Chicagoans closest to poverty are leading the drive to reduce it.

Our Work

Our mission at the Center for Poverty Solutions is to reduce poverty in the city of Chicago by 5% by 2033. To accomplish that, the center has built a coalition of community-based organizations, forward-thinking employers and public advocacy groups to connect impoverished Chicagoans with training, opportunities and resources to achieve full-time employment.

What we fight for

The Center for Poverty Solutions fights so every Chicagoan can achieve the American dream. We believe that through the dignity of work, the power of entrepreneurship and the support of community stakeholders, the most vulnerable Chicagoans can achieve independence and flourish.

We are committed to stay and fight for Chicagoans

If you are ready to join us, click below and help support the research, advocacy and community leaders fighting to eliminate poverty in our city.

The Latest

The Policy Shop: Chicago’s poverty paradox

January 31, 2024

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

January 25, 2024 / By Josh Bandoch

The Policy Shop: Too much government licensing hurts jobseekers

January 3, 2024

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

December 29, 2023 / By Hannah Schmid

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

December 26, 2023 / By Joe Tabor

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

December 20, 2023 / By Dylan Sharkey

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

December 6, 2023 / By Hannah Schmid

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

December 4, 2023 / By Joe Tabor

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

December 1, 2023 / By Joe Tabor