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.

Michael ‘Saadiq’ Cannon

Michael ‘Saadiq’ Cannon

“The truth is, I had always had a good educational upbringing, and a good family. But the allure of the streets just got me at an early age and it led me down a wrong path.” “While I was incarcerated, I went back to those educational roots. I poured myself into rehabilitating myself and becoming...

Getting ahead is hard for low-income Illinoisans

Getting ahead is hard for low-income Illinoisans

Opportunity stalls in Illinois as the state lags other Midwestern states on four key indicators of social mobility. The state trails the rest of the region on entrepreneurship, economic growth, institutions and the rule of law.

By Chris Coffey

Eric Zamarripa

Eric Zamarripa

“Currently the state requires 1,500 hours of training to get your barber license. You also have to pass a test, but many schools won’t even approve for you to take the test until you’ve finished paying off tuition. I personally know three people who have finished their schooling but they can’t take their licensing test...