More than one-third of households in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties struggle to afford the basic necessities of housing, child care, food, technology, healthcare, and transportation.
ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed represents a population that is oftentimes overlooked. ALICE represents the growing number of those who rank above the Federal Poverty Line (FPL), but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, technology, and transportation.
In 2018, 1,729,994 Illinois households (35%) had income below the ALICE Threshold, meaning that they were unable to afford even the most basic budget. Yet since ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level, they were not eligible for assistance. The large number of households struggling before the COVID-19 crisis helps explain why the dual impact of the current health crisis and economic disruption is so severe.
The number of ALICE households will increase with the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
Rising unemployment, closed businesses, and halted production of many goods and services has already reduced the income of millions of families. The 10% of Illinois households that were on the cusp of the ALICE Threshold in 2018 are especially vulnerable.
Inequalities are exacerbated by the pandemic.
Households of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities, living in rural, urban, and suburban areas, are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But isolating in place is a luxury that many ALICE families cannot afford. Differences in income and savings determine who can stay home, buy protective gear and essential items, take time off work when sick or supporting remote learning for children, and access health care.
Seniors are a high-risk group in terms of both health and finances.
In 2018, 565,421 senior households (46%) in Illinois had income below the ALICE Threshold. Due to age, underlying conditions, and often living in group quarters such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes, those over age 65 are more susceptible to getting and dying from COVID-19 than the general population. this increased vulnerability, as well as the closing of senior centers, houses of worship, and other community organizations, has heightened anxiety and isolation among the senior population.
Benefits of Moving Towards Equity
Economic Benefits
The strength of the Illinois economy is inextricably tied to the financial stability of its residents. The more people who participate in a state's economy, the stronger it will be.
Based on 2018 data, the economic benefit to Illinois of bringing all households to the ALICE Threshold would be approximately $119.5 billion, meaning that the state GDP would grow by 14%.
Benefits for Households and Local Communities
In addition to the economic benefits to the state if all households had income above the ALICE Threshold, there would be a significant number of positive changes for families and their communities. Our 2019 companion Report, The Consequences of Insufficient Household Income outlines the tough choices ALICE and poverty-level families make when they do not have enough income to afford basic necessities and how those decisions affect their broader communities. By contrast, the figure below outlines the improvements that all Illinois families and their communities would experience if policies were implemented that moved all households above the ALICE Threshold.
Explore additional reports at unitedforalice.org
How To Help
Give
ALICE workers - our home health aides, our child care workers - GIVE us the flexibility to go to work and the peace of mind to focus on our jobs while our family members and youngest children are in safe, capable hands. Give back to ALICE and support United Way's work to improve financial stability for our neighbors.