PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

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

CHICAGO (Nov. 20, 2023) – The Illinois Policy Institute announced today Dr. Eddie Kornegay has joined the Center for Poverty Solutions as its executive director.

Kornegay will oversee the formation of partnerships and programs with direct service organizations and exchange ideas about the best ways to empower people to overcome poverty and to advocate for the policy solutions that will facilitate that. This work comes as Chicago is facing one of the worst poverty crises in the nation, with more than 450,000 Chicagoans, or 17.2% of residents, living below the federal poverty line.

Kornegay brings over 28 years of experience in urban ministry and community organizing to the role, most recently serving as the director of R.I.S.E., an innovative pre-and post-release reentry program that provides practical skills, training and mentoring for those who are incarcerated.

“I look forward to helping empower our communities to tackle one of the biggest problems the city faces – its growing poverty rates,” said Dr. Kornegay, executive director of the Center for Poverty Solutions. “We can make our biggest mark on our communities by focusing our poverty reduction efforts on the individuals affected by the problems of poverty.”

Kornegay earned his bachelor’s degree in English from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, his master of divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, master of sacred theology degree from Chicago Theological Seminary, and his doctorate in theology, ethics, culture and human science from Chicago Theological Seminary.

“We’re thrilled Dr. Kornegay will be leading the charge against Chicago’s poverty crisis and changing the status quo for fighting poverty,” said Matt Paprocki, president and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. “Our hope is to highlight the most effective policies and to partner with service providers to empower individuals to move from poverty toward self-sufficiency through stable work. We need strong leadership to build community partnerships. Dr. Kornegay is an accomplished leader and will be invaluable to this work.”

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.