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ILLINOIS KIDS COUNT

Illinois KIDS COUNT Data Book

Voices for Illinois Children's annual Illinois Kids Count data reports examine the quality of life facing children and families in every county. The county-level and statewide statistics demonstrate trends, illustrate needs and support policy proposals. By providing these measures of child well-being, Kids Count aims to enrich discussions about ways to ensure better futures for all children.

Illinois Kids Count 2010 Databook:
"Children and Families in a Time of Economic Crisis"

Very few are untouched by recessions as deep as the current economic downturn. This edition of Illinois Kids Count begins to take account of the personal toll of the “Great Recession.” The trends reported here are only the tip of the iceberg, given that most of the available data do not yet reflect the full impact of the economic crisis on children and families. Child poverty rates are expected to rise sharply during the recession and continue rising for several years after the economy begins to recover. Research shows that children who fall into poverty fare worse than their peers, even well into adulthood, in education, employment, and health status. The prospect of significantly higher child poverty rates underscores the need to maintain and strengthen policies and programs that enhance child and family well-being in Illinois.

Media:
- Read the Illinois Kids Count 2010 Press Release for highlights.
- President Kathy Ryg tells ABC affiliate at the Springfield 2010 Kids Count Symposium how increasing poverty rates have negative impact on children’s learning, health, and future.  Click here to view the video.

Illinios Kids Count 2010 Power Point Presentations:
 - Chicago Symposium 
- Springfield Symposium

Major Themes and Key Findings

Introduction

“Children and Families in a Time of Economic Crisis”

Employment and Earnings

“Families Hit Hard by Recession and Longer-Term Economic Restructuring”

Data: Unemployment rates in Illinois and the U.S.; employment trends; unemployment in midwestern states; unemployment by family type, race-ethnicity, age; unemployment in metro areas, counties, municipalities; employment by industry and occupation; wages and earnings in Illinois.

Essays: “Loss of Good-Paying Jobs in Illinois” by Paul Kleppner; “Investing in Single Mothers Is the Smartest Investment in Their Children” by Rosanna A. Marquez; “Economic Solutions for Domestic Violence Survivors” by Kelly White and Shelley A. Davis.

Income and Poverty

“A Lost Decade: Income Growth Stalls and Child Poverty Rises”

Data: Household and family income in Illinois; income for families with children; poverty status and poverty rates; poverty rates by race-ethnicity and family type; child poverty rates in midwestern states, Illinois counties, Illinois municipalities; financial assets.

Essays: “What Recession Feels Like to Families on the Edge” by Ellen Schumer; “The Economy’s Silent Victims” by Clete Winkelmann; “Effects of Job Loss and Poverty on Communities” by Peter Flynn and Craig Beintema.

Economic Security Programs

“Struggling Families Find Support in Public Programs”

“Overview of Major Income Security Programs”

Data: Social Security; Unemployment Insurance; Food Stamp program; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Child Care Assistance; Earned Income Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; effects of income security programs

Essays: “Putting TANF Back on Track” by Jennifer Hrycyna and Dan Lesser; “Working Yet Living in Poverty: Why Income Supports Matter” by Joseph A. Antolin.

Housing

“Families Struggle to Keep a Roof Over Their Heads”

Data: Homeownership, home sales and prices, new housing units; mortgages and foreclosures; housing costs for homeowners and renters; federal housing assistance; homelessness; overcrowding.

Essays: “Financial Protections Needed as More Families Lose Their Homes” by Dory Rand; “Homeless Children Need More than Just Housing” by Mary Ellen Caron and Katie Dealy.

Health

“Progress in Health Insurance Coverage for Children”

Data: Employer-sponsored health insurance; children without health insurance; uninsured children by race-ethnicity; uninsured children and parents; enrollment in medical assistance programs; prenatal care; access to care; health status; child abuse and neglect.

Essays: “Coordinating Across Child Welfare Services to Strengthen Families in Crisis” by Erwin McEwen; “Health Disparities and Work” by Elissa Bassler.

Education

“Education and Diverging Destinies”

Data: Educational attainment; high school and college enrollment and graduation; costs of higher education; Pre-K enrollment; state funding for education.

Essays: “Community Colleges — The Tip of the Spear” by Ray Hancock; “Strengthening Our Schools, Strengthening Our Economy” by Robin Steans

Concluding Essay

“Securing the Future for Children and Families” by Kathy Ryg

Appendix: County-Level Data

Data: Unemployment rates; child poverty rates; median household income; median income for families with children; Child Care Assistance Program; Food Stamp recipients; Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit; monthly housing costs; Medicaid, CHIP, and All Kids expansion; educational attainment.

Acknowledgments