Illinois Policy Institute’s Center for Poverty Solutions identifies 7 bipartisan strategies for reducing poverty

January 25, 2024

Fighting poverty isn’t a partisan issue and there is significant consensus about what can work to help 450,000 Chicagoans living in poverty, new research finds.

PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Illinois Policy Institute’s Center for Poverty Solutions identifies 7 bipartisan strategies for reducing poverty

CHICAGO (Jan. 25, 2024) – Fighting poverty isn’t a partisan issue and there is significant consensus about what can work to help 450,000 Chicagoans living in poverty, new research finds.

In a new report, “Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities,” the Illinois Policy Institute found seven policy areas with bipartisan approval and consensus across ideological lines for reducing poverty. Institute experts studied leftist and conservative research on poverty to find areas of common ground, particularly when it comes to improving existing state and federal policies.

“Setting aside political differences to focus on these shared policy ideas would result in long-lasting and meaningful reductions to poverty in Chicago,” said Josh Bandoch, head of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute. “Instead of fighting between parties, borrowing from the best, bipartisan policies will let us make lasting improvements in the lives of our least-fortunate neighbors.”

Seven common ground policy solutions for reducing poverty:

  1. Emphasize the dignity of work. Give people the tools to find a good and meaningful job.
  2. Prepare for the future of work. Ensure individuals are ready for emerging careers and new workforce technologies.
  3. Remove barriers to work. Reduce occupational licensing and burdensome regulations to allow low-income individuals to easily enter the workforce.
  4. Reform the educational system. Ensure the educational system prepares students for careers through improved quality and more effective workforce development programs such as apprenticeships.
  5. Restructure safety net programs. Redesign government assistance programs to allow families to meaningfully rise out of poverty without falling off the benefits cliff.
  6. Develop more affordable housing. Enact zoning reforms to allow greater land flexibility and clear the way for more affordable housing options.
  7. Promote family formation and stability.  Encourage individuals to follow the “success sequence” of education, job, marriage and then children. This sequence reduces poverty rates to 2%.

“The Illinois Policy Institute’s Center for Poverty Solutions is building coalitions to foster and advance these solutions, providing a blueprint for reducing Chicago’s 17.2% poverty rate,” said Dr. Eddie Kornegay, executive director of the Center for Poverty Solutions.“We are eager to collaborate with service providers working diligently within communities to advance the best poverty reduction strategies through public policy and legislation.”

To read the Center for Poverty Solutions report, “Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities,” visit illin.is/commonground. 

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