Statements of U. S. Senator Dick Durbin Regarding 2007 Illinois Poverty Report

STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DICK DURBIN REGARDING 2007 ILLINOIS POVERTY REPORT

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement about the 2007 Illinois Poverty Report. The Illinois Poverty Report is an annual publication of the Heartland Alliance's Mid-America Institute on Poverty. Since 2000, the Institute has published data and analysis on current poverty data, trends affecting the state's economic health, and potential strategies to eliminate poverty in Illinois.

"The annual Report on Illinois Poverty, issued by the Heartland Alliance, makes it clear that in a state as prosperous as Illinois, many hard-working families are falling further behind every year."

"As the cost of health care, education, housing and utilities continue to rise, month after month, year after year, wages don't keep pace and the number facing poverty grows. There are things we can do to cut poverty in our state and nation. We need to increase Pell grants for the first time in four years, cut student loan interest rates, raise the minimum wage, give more low-income households access to the LIHEAP program and create new rental opportunities for low-income families."

"Too many uninsured Illinoisans are one accident away from financial ruin. We need to continue efforts to cover the uninsured, starting with giving small businesses and their employees the ability to join together to find affordable health insurance."

"Hunger in Illinois is still a problem as the workers at our food pantries and meal sites can tell you. We must improve federal nutrition programs, especially for children and the elderly. The federal earned income tax credit must also be expanded. It's one of our most valuable poverty-fighting tools."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=269354