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.

Chicago’s latest housing ordinance will make affordability worse

By imposing costly delays, intrusive financial disclosures and pushing up demolition fees, the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance will drive rents even higher and hurt the residents it aims to help.

By LyLena Estabine

REPORTS

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

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

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

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help

Illinois enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program decreased slightly in December, but over 1.9 million residents still received benefits.

By Lauren Zuar

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

Testimony: Chicago leaders agree to boost housing supply, affordability

Chicago City Council members heard from Illinois Policy Institute researchers as they considered allowing more commercial space to be converted to housing. The council then unanimously voted for the change that will boost supply and affordability.

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

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...

Slow economic growth stops Illinoisans from getting ahead

Illinois ranks 44th in the country on entrepreneurship and economic growth, which stops people from getting ahead.

By Chris Coffey

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.

By Lauren Zuar

Keith Bass

Keith Bass was part of the launch of Co-LLAB, a year-old entrepreneurship training hub which is part of the Male Mogul Initiative. Based in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, it is a haven for job training, creativity and engagement in a community too often known for disinvestment. “We’ve been ramping up our screen printing orders, but we...

Jaurice Winston

“I’m from the West Side of Chicago, the Austin area to be specific. There were lots of summer programs in my area and the one I signed up for was run by the Male Mogul Initiative. I had no idea what it was or what it was going to do for me.” “Everything I learned...

Does Illinois make it too hard to build housing?

The median home price in Illinois is almost 40% higher than it was at the start of the pandemic, but why?

By Jess Plowman

Ranking: Illinois 10th worst state for getting ahead

Illinois lags both the nation and the Midwest on key indicators of social mobility. The state scores poorly on entrepreneurship, economic growth, institutions and the rule of law.

By Chris Coffey

Market-oriented housing reforms gaining traction in Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed an executive order to increase access to housing for middle-income families. While many of the proposed solutions still miss the mark, there are some important supply-side reforms that could mark a positive shift for Illinois.

By LyLena Estabine