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.

Martin Sahagun

Martin Sahagun

“My name is Martin Sahagun. I’m the CEO of Sahagun Siles Partners. I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in urban design.” “This city has provided me almost everything. Skyscrapers, nature, landscape. I always say if I didn’t move to Chicago, I might be in some other career. This city is a...

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

By Patrick Andriesen

Just 3,200 Illinoisans complete apprenticeships each year despite potential to fill nearly 150,000 job openings

Just 3,200 Illinoisans complete apprenticeships each year despite potential to fill nearly 150,000 job openings

Declining reading and math scores decrease opportunity for students in Illinois. Apprenticeships, which provide paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, are an in-demand alternative to a college degree that can build key skills and help meet future employment needs.

By Lauren Zuar

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and last among Midwest states...

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest. The state fell 113,000...

By Joe Tabor

Sam Goldman

Sam Goldman

“I would say at a high level, our policymakers have been too focused on affordable housing, and not housing affordability. We’re not focused on sustainable, long-term economic development. We’re not focused on jobs.” “Folks will point to the West Loop and say it’s evidence the policy works. I look at the West Loop and see...