Illinois

Commission on the Elimination of Poverty 2016 Annual Report September 2016 2

Acknowledgements Page

Photographs/Image Source: Cover: Jim Bowen “Illinois State Capitol” Flickr, U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Nov 20-SNAP-Grocery Shopping,” Flickr 5: Chicago Street Photography – The Magnificent Mile, Kevin Dooley, Flickr, 8: Tripp, “Metra”, Flickr 13: Jeff Sharp, “Maxwell Township, Sangamon County” Flickr 25: Jeff Sharp, “City Water Light & Power,” Springfield, Flickr

Prepared by: Ari Berman, Marian Woznica and Kimberly Drew, Heartland Alliance

Cover Design: Ari Berman, Heartland Alliance

Data Analysis and Support: Amy Terpstra, Heartland Alliance’s Social IMPACT Research Center

Editorial Assistance: Sam Tuttle, Heartland Alliance September 2016 3

Table of Contents

Letter from Commission Co-Chairs 4 Introduction 5 Measuring Progress 6 Budget Overview 8 Listening Sessions 9 The Commission’s Recommendations 12 Agenda for Change – 2016 Summary 13 Progress Towards the Commission’s Recommendations 16 Looking Forward to 2016 27 Commission Membership 28 September 2016 4

Letter from the Commissioners

September 2016

Dear Members of the Illinois General Assembly,

On behalf of the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, we want to express our appreciation for your legislative work in 2016. In the midst of this deeply divided and otherwise challenging legislative session, you passed several bills that will make a real impact on the lives of individuals and families who are experiencing poverty and injustice.

Despite these legislative successes, many Illinoisans experiencing poverty are watching the resources that allow them to find safety, support their families, find a new job, and stay healthy disappear because Illinois has not passed a comprehensive budget with adequate revenue.

We submit to you the 2016 Annual Report of the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, including an overview of the legislative progress our state is making towards ending poverty.

We urge you to think about the individuals unfairly held back from equal opportunity as you do your work. Whether it is passing a full budget, advocating for anti-poverty programs, or advancing legislation to combat poverty, the power to bring Illinois back from the brink is in your hands. Please consider the members of the Commission allies in this fight. We know we can get Illinois back on the right track while fighting to end extreme poverty together.

Thank you for your efforts to pass the pieces of legislation we have highlighted in this report. We implore you to build on that work to pass a fully funded budget for this fiscal year.

Sincerely,

Members of the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty September 2016 5 Introduction

We know there is no silver bullet to end poverty. To that end, each year, the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty (“the Commission”) identifies and evaluates a wide array of proposals ranging from reducing barriers to employment for people with backgrounds to improving access to public benefit programs that can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families experiencing poverty. This year there were a significant number of legislative proposals that the Commission identified that passed both houses of the General Assembly and were signed into law.

A strong state budget that invests in programs and services that help individuals meet their basic needs and move out of poverty is the backbone of any work to address poverty. While Illinois saw significant progress this year passing legislation that will improve the lives of people experiencing poverty, progress is stifled when the very same individuals that could benefit from these new laws find their supports slipping away. Ending poverty requires a comprehensive network of programs and services that work together to provide opportunity. It is pertinent, now more than ever, to advance both legislative and budgetary solutions that support and strengthen antipoverty programs.

We cannot make additional progress in cutting poverty without maintaining stable and adequate revenue. A responsible solution to the state’s fiscal crisis must include immediate action to advancing real revenue solutions.

In the past year, the number of Illinoisans in extreme poverty has declined - a notable step in the right direction. Yet this positive news masks a troubling reality in our state. Illinois is one of only a handful of states in which income inequality grew this past year, and wide racial disparities persist on nearly every poverty measure. Given the state’s continuing fiscal crisis it is more important than ever that we prioritize and invest in solutions to cut poverty by strengthening programs and advancing policies that mitigate poverty and level the playing field to ensure equity and create true opportunity for all Illinoisans. September 2016 6

Measuring Progress

Since the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty was created in 2008, extreme poverty has been steadily increasing. The most current data reveal, however, show a welcome trend – extreme poverty has decreased. While this progress is laudable, 711,488 Illinoisans still live in extreme poverty, which for a family of four means living on less than about $12,000 per year.

A SNAPSHOT OF EXTREME POVERTY

2007-2008 2009-2010 2014-2015

607,247 820,040 711,488

A CLOSER LOOK AT EXTREME POVERTY IN ILLINOIS

Extreme Poverty by Race/Ethnicity

Extreme poverty disproportionately affects people and communities of color.

Race/Ethnicity 2015 Current Situation Percent*

White Non-Hispanic 313,764 3.9%

Black Non-Hispanic 194,950 11.7%

Hispanic 153,091 7.6%

Extreme Poverty by Age September 2016 7

Children are more likely to live in extreme poverty than adults.

Age 2015 Current Situation Percent* Children (0-17) 220,624 7.5% Working Age (18-64) 428,060 5.4% Seniors (65 and over) 62,804 3.3%

Extreme Poverty by Disability Status

Working-age Illinoisans with a work-limiting disability have far greater rates of extreme poverty than their non-disabled counterparts.

Disability Status 2015 Current Situation Percent* (Working Age)

With a Work-Limiting Disability 80,199 7.9%

No Work-Limiting Disability 439,517 4.6%

Extreme Poverty by Work Limitation

Over half of all Illinoisans in extreme poverty are children, seniors, or working-age people with a work-limiting disability – people who cannot or are not expected to work.

2015 Current Situation

Unable or Not Expected to 363,627 Work As a % of Those in Extreme 51.1% Poverty

Data Source: The estimates presented in this section come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement. While there are several valid sources of data on extreme poverty, this source allows for a more comprehensive picture, which provides a better benchmark for measuring Illinois’s progress toward reducing poverty. *Percent represents the percentage of people in the demographic group who are extremely poor. September 2016 8

Budget Overview

People experiencing poverty in Illinois are teetering on the edge of an abyss. For years, Illinois has steadily cut state supported resources that best address poverty: education, public benefits, and human services. As Illinois continues to operate without a full, comprehensive budget for yet another year, these resources and the individuals and families that they support, are slowly but surely falling over the edge of the cliff.

A Debilitating Problem

Though a temporary stopgap budget was passed in the summer of 2016, it is just another piecemeal appropriation that masks the ever looming state budget crisis and fails to fund either FY16 or FY17 adequately. With every month that the budget crisis lingers, human service providers close, people seeking help are turned away, and Illinois’s deficit increases. The burden of Illinois’s budget crisis is being shouldered by people in poverty1:  91% of state-funded human services agencies have reduced the number of clients they serve  Redeploy Illinois, a program to reduce juvenile incarceration through community- based programs stopped operating in 25 Illinois counties.  160,000 students were denied MAP grants due to lack of funding  8,187 clients of homeless services providers have seen their services reduced or eliminated  80,000 clients have lost mental health services. There are real consequences to dismantling Illinois’ human services infrastructure. Windows of opportunity that could have changed lives, like intervening in the life of an at-risk child, an individual struggling with addiction, or a mother experiencing violence are closed; those opportunities lost forever. People experiencing poverty have seen the resources they need to keep their families healthy and safe crumble away. Our state can, and must do better.

1 All data points pulled from Illinois’ Austerity Atlas: http://www.illinoisausterityatlas.com/. September 2016 9

Listening Sessions Each year the Commission holds public hearings or listening sessions to hear directly from people experiencing poverty and to learn more about issues impacting communities throughout the state. The themes from the listening sessions are shared in the Annual Report and will help inform the Commission’s priorities in the coming year.

Homeless Youth Listening Session In August 2016, a collection of state and local policymakers met with Chicagoland area caseworkers and homeless youth to discuss the causes of homelessness and obstacles to escaping it in Illinois. The following is what we heard:

Hunger and Access to Nutritious Food The number one concern of every youth that participated in our discussion was finding food. One youth said he couldn’t have a “stable mind” without food. Without enough money for nutritious meals, or a place to cook, many have to survive off junk food from convenient stores. While of the youth may be eligible for SNAP benefits, we learned that DHS case workers often turn down many students for SNAP despite their eligibility, and many TANF and SNAP recipients are being cut-off because of punitive sanctions or programmatic errors. Navigating these programs, especially without any additional assistance or resources, can be difficult and frustrating for youth already facing too many challenges.

Transportation Public transportation is increasingly unaffordable for homeless youth and the agencies serving them. The introduction of Ventra Cards in Chicago in 2014 - and the subsequent 50 cent surcharge for purchasing new tickets - has forced some human services providers to lower the number of Ventra cards they can provide. Ultimately, when even public transportation is out of reach, finding and commuting to a job, taking a child to child care, and accessing affordable food becomes that much harder.

Under-Funded Homeless Shelters Both case-workers and the youth agreed that the number of shelters and the services they provide does not meet the need. Lack of mental health counseling means that youth coping with past and current trauma cannot access the services they need. Without these programs, youth cannot heal, find stability, or build the skills that they need to grow into healthy and thriving adults.

Restrictive Shelter Policies Homeless shelter policies often create barriers to school and employment. Limited hours mean that youth don’t get an adequate amount of sleep. Strict curfews mean that employees or students with late-night shifts or classes have to choose between a job, class, or a place to sleep at night. September 2016 10

Job Security and Affordable Housing To be able to escape the cycle of poverty, stable employment is vital. Many youth, however, find it difficult to work stable hours due to the unreliable schedule of the service industry. Without a stable income, even those with jobs struggle to convince potential landlords of their credit. With safe, decent, affordable housing hard to come by, youth are struggling to find a steady place to work and live.

Child Care Services The Illinois budget crisis has forced many child care facilities to shut down or scale back services. In one transitional living program for mothers/couples, 20% of recipients had to quit their jobs because of the tightened state child care eligibility and reduced child care services. Without child care assistance, child care became more expensive than their income.

Seasonal & Migrant Agricultural Workers Listening Session That same month, members of the Commission traveled to Kankakee to listen to service providers and seasonal farmworkers to learn about current working conditions in Illinois. The following highlight some of their grievances, and underscore the need to protect workers in our agrarian state.

Wage Theft and Worker Abuse Advocates for migrant and seasonal farmworkers point to wage theft as one of the largest and most routine problems faced by agricultural workers. Wage theft manifests in a variety of ways, including through inaccurate estimates of the acres they worked, minimum wage violations, illegal deductions, and payment on abusive pay cards or online formats impossible to access. Sexual harassment, child labor, and human trafficking are also common issues facing agricultural workers according to advocates.

Lack of Basic Workers’ Rights Illinois’ package of workplace protections has many exceptions for farmworkers, meaning that they are left without the right to earn overtime pay or unionize, Children as young as 12 can be forced to work. Many workers also do not receive paid sick time or paid breaks.

Excruciating Working Conditions Workers can spend up to 15 hours a day in the field, engaging in back-breaking work in 80-90 degree heat, culminating in considerable wear and tear on the muscles, heat stress or exhaustion. However, workers are typically given only one half hour break every 12 hours, and two bathroom breaks for the day – even workers who are pregnant. As a result, maintaining health for agricultural workers is a consistent challenge.

Fear of Retaliation and Job Insecurity One farmworker told a story of wanting to confront a supervisor with her co-workers after they did not receive a promised break, but choosing not to do so because her fellow employees feared the consequences. Even when workers are injured or sick they September 2016 11 show up for work, because they fear that if they call in sick, they will get lose their job entirely.

College Access and Affordability Not one worker said they wanted their children to do the same type of work that they do. But the wages of agricultural workers make it nearly impossible to save for college. One mother said two of her three kids had to quit college because they were unable to pay their expenses.

Lack of Structural Support Migrant programs have been devastated by the budget crisis and many efforts to reach out to farmworkers have been severely reduced or cut. In the past year, agencies lost bilingual translators that helped workers apply for SNAP, as well as a program that gave migrants expedited access to the program. Many programs that try to disseminate information about workers’ rights and education do not have the language capabilities or capacity to meet the needs of farmworkers and their families. September 2016 12

Commission’s Recommendations In 2010, the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty created a comprehensive strategy for cutting extreme poverty. Relying on public input, relevant data, and research, the Commission developed a plan that offers a comprehensive approach to address the complex and multi-faceted nature of poverty. The recommendations contained within that plan relate to the following:

 Access to safe, decent, and affordable housing

 Access to adequate food and nutrition

 Access to affordable and quality health care

 Equal access to quality education and training

 Dependable and affordable transportation

 Access to quality and affordable child care

 Opportunities to engage in meaningful and sustainable work

 The availability of adequate income supports.

Per the Commission’s statutory mandate, the recommendations are consistent with international human rights standards. The commissioners applied human rights principles and a solid understanding of those impacted by extreme poverty to guide the development of the plan.

The information that follows offers an overview of legislative action taken this year that aligned with the Poverty Commission’s recommendations to cut extreme poverty. AGENDA FOR CHANGE September 2016 13

2016 Summary

HB1288 - Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Gives domestic workers basic worker protections under the Minimum Wage Law, Human Rights Act, One Day Rest in Seven Act and Wages of Women and Minors Act: MAKING PROGRESS

SB42 – SB3005 – HB4515 – HB4360 - Reduce Barriers to Employment for Individuals with Criminal Backgrounds Reduces hiring/licensure restrictions for people with criminal records seeking employment in health care, schools, or a park district: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2340 -TANF Child Support Disregards Requires that that the first $100 of child support for one child and the first $200 for two or more children be paid directly to families, rather than being diverted to reimburse the government for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits the families are receiving: MAKING PROGRESS

HB6027- Healthy Local Foods Incentives Creates a state program which doubles the value of SNAP benefits that are spent on fruits and vegetables at participating Illinois farmers markets: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2393 - Childhood Hunger – School Breakfast Creates the Breakfast After the Bell program by requiring district boards of education to provide breakfast for all students by the next academic year in schools where at least 70% of the students are low income: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2147 - Healthy Workplace Act Requires employers to provide paid sick days to employees: LOSING GROUND September 2016 14

SB3007 - Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Act Provides access to critical services (TANF, SNAP and Medicaid) for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking, torture and other forms of violence while they wait for a decision on their visa application: MAKING PROGRESS

HB3297 - Employee Paid Health Care Leave Allows employees to accrue paid health care time at a rate of no less than one hour for every 22 hours worked for an employer with 50 or more employees and at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked for an employer with fewer than 50 employees: LOSING GROUND

HB6162 - Employee Sick Leave Act Allows employees to use personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for absences due to an illness, injury, long term disability plan, or medical appointment of the employee’s child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in- law, father-in- law, grandchild, grandparent or stepparent: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2196 - Student Access – In State Student Aid Will provide legal authority to 4-year public universities in Illinois to provide financial aid to undocumented students who meet Illinois resident requirements when they enroll at their institutions: LOSING GROUND

SB2236 - Student Loan Default Prevents a worker from having their professional license revoked if they default on a student loan provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The loss of a license puts someone out of work and makes them even less equipped to manage their debt: LOSING GROUND

SB2465 - Repeal Incarceration Cost Repeals provision that committed persons shall be responsible to reimburse the Department of Corrections for the expenses incurred by their incarceration: HOLDING STEADY September 2016 15

SB2804 - Wage Assignments and Consumer Protections Creates a clearer wage assignment notice in Illinois – ensuring that borrowers know and fully understand their rights under federal law to stop a wage assignment at any time, and for any reason: MAKING PROGRESS

HB5736 - ALL KIDS Repeal Date Amends the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act. Extends the program’s sunset from July 1, 2016 to October 1, 2019: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2145 - Increase the Minimum Wage Increases the state minimum wage to $11 an hour: LOSING GROUND

HB4446 - College Admission Inquiries Prohibits a college from inquiring about arrests and criminal convictions during the admission decision-making process so that people with criminal records can find and keep quality jobs: LOSING GROUND

HB4036 - Victims Economic Security and Safety Expands the Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to cover all employees, allowing them unpaid leave for reasons related to domestic or sexual violence, such as medical appointments, counseling sessions, and court hearings: MAKING PROGRESS

SB2906 - Public Aid/DHS Employment Program Allows TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients to enroll in high school and high school equivalency programs as a core program activity: MAKING PROGRESS September 2016 16

Progress Toward the Commission’s Recommendations

Work Recommendations

HB1288 - Domestic Workers Bill of Rights: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: HB1288 provides nannies, housecleaners, home care workers, and other domestic workers the same employment protections as workers in other industries by amending four state laws that currently exclude them. This includes the Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the One Day of Rest in Seven Act, and the Wages of Women and Minors Act.

2016 Outcome: With Representative Lisa Hernandez and Senator Ira Silverstein as lead sponsors, the bill passed in both Houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 5, 2016 (Public Act 99-0746).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Improve workplace compensation by increasing minimum wage and benefit standards / eliminate categories of workers not covered by minimum wage: Historically, domestic workers have been excluded from many of the basic labor protections afforded to other Illinois workers. Many of the laws and policies that govern pay and work conditions simply do not apply to domestic workers. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights would create labor standards that are currently lacking in this industry and ensure that domestic workers have a right to earn the minimum wage, protections against sexual harassment, and other basic labor protections. September 2016 17

HB3297 - Employee Paid Health Care Leave: LOSING GROUND

Bill Summary: Allows employees to accrue paid health care time at a rate of not less than one hour for every 22 hours worked for an employer with 50 or more employees and at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked for an employer with fewer than 50 employees. Expands paid sick leave to include illnesses of significant family members.

2016 Outcome: HB3297 was introduced by Representative Christian Mitchell in February 2015. After two readings, no further action was taken on the bill.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Improve workplace compensation by allowing employees who traditionally do not receive sick days actual benefits: Nearly 80% of low-wage workers do not have any sick days. These workers are faced with the dilemma of sacrificing their health for their job, or risking their employment for their paycheck2.

HB6162 - Employee Sick Leave Act: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: Allows employees to use personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for absences due to an illness, injury, long term disability, or medical appointment of the employee’s child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in- law, father-in- law, grandchild, grandparent or stepparent.

2016 Outcome: HB6162 was introduced by Representative Andrew Skoog and sponsored by Jacqueline Collins in the Senate. The bill passed both Houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 19, 2015 (Public Act 99-0841)

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Improve workplace compensation by allowing employees to support their families in times of illness: Sick leave is not just for employees. Workers have families to take care of and support both in health and in financial realms. However, workers can be fired for missing work in order to take care of a sick family member. This bill will allow workers to take care of their loved ones without fear of being fired.

2 Women Employed, Fair Workplaces Initiative September 2016 18

HB4036 – Victims’ Economic Security and Safety: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: This bill expands the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to cover all employees, allowing them unpaid leave for reasons related to domestic or sexual violence, such as medical appointments, counseling sessions, and court hearings.

2016 Outcome: HB4036 was introduced by Representative and sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson in the Senate. It passed in both Houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 12, 2015 (Public Act 99-0765).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Access to fair working conditions: all employees—not just those in companies with many workers—deserve leave to care for survivors of sexual violence. Whether it’s to take care of a family member or themselves, all survivors should be guaranteed the same workplace protections and rights. As a consequence of HB4036, all employees, regardless of company size, can seek medical attention, domestic violence or sexual assault services, counseling, legal assistance, and other activities needed to address the violence.

SB2804 - Wage Assignment and Consumer Protections: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: SB2804 creates a clearer wage assignment notice in Illinois – ensuring that borrowers know their rights under federal law to stop a wage assignment at any time, and for any reason. The bill and its amendments clearly outline for a borrower what a wage assignment is and any procedures they may follow.

2016 Outcome: SB2804 was introduced by Senator Daniel Biss and sponsored by Representative Chris Welch in the House. The bill passed both houses and was signed into law on August 26, 2016 (Public Act 99-0903).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Ensure that when someone is engaged in work, they are not living in extreme poverty: As it stands, the current wage assignment notice that a borrower receives does not inform the borrower of their right to stop a wage assignment. As a result of being misinformed, individuals who need every bit of money they have end up getting a portion of their wages taken from the lender without any appeal. Individuals deserve to know their economic rights, no matter their financial situation. September 2016 19

SB2145 - Increasing the Minimum Wage: LOSING GROUND

Bill Summary: Increases the state minimum wage to $11 an hour.

2016 Outcome: SB2145 was introduced by Senator Kimberly Lightford and assigned to the Senate Executive Committee but no further action was taken on the bill.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: – Improve workplace compensation by increasing minimum wage/living wage and benefit standards: $8.25 an hour is simply not enough to live on. In Illinois, an individual working minimum wage would have to work 97 hours a week to afford a 2 bedroom apartment3. With the rising cost of rent, food, and electricity, an increase in the minimum wage will move families out of poverty and help address the increasing inequality in Illinois.

Access to Work Recommendations

HB4360 - Educator Qualifications: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: HB4360 eliminates many of the antiquated and overly broad barriers to employment in schools for people with drug, misdemeanor public indecency, and prostitution convictions so that local schools have the ability to hire the right workers for their communities.

2016 Outcome: HB4360 was introduced by Representative and sponsored by Senator Patricia Van Pelt in the Senate. The bill passed both houses chambers and was signed by Governor Rauner on July 29, 2015 (Public Act 99-0667).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Access to work and adequate income support: There are over 500 bars to employment, for people with criminal backgrounds in Illinois.4 Nonetheless, we are learning that these barriers do little to protect public safety; instead they drive recidivism and harm the very communities we aim to protect. Indeed, recidivism rates drop from 47% to 15.7% with full time employment.5 Access to employment is central to helping individuals build financial security and move out of poverty.

3 National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2016. 4http://www.abacollateralconsequences.org/ 5 Safer Foundation, A Road Back, FY2011 Recidivism Study. September 2016 20

SB42 - Health Care Licensing: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: SB42 opens health care jobs by removing the blanket ban on health professional licenses for people with forcible felony convictions and instead replaces it with a special process to petition for a license that safeguards patients without keeping talented professionals out of health careers.

2016 Outcome: SB42 was introduced by Senator Iris Martinez and sponsored by Representative Camille Lilly in the House. The bill passed in both houses and was signed into law by Governor on August 25, 2016 (Public Act – 99-0886)

SB3005 - Park District Background Check: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: Removes the antiquated lifetime employment ban for people with certain criminal convictions, including bans for individuals with drug convictions, misdemeanor public indecency, and prostitution.

2016 Outcome: SB3005 was introduced by Senator Jacqueline Collins and sponsored by Representative Kelly Cassidy in the House. The bill passed both houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 22, 2016 (Public Act – 99-0884).

HB4515 - Health Care Worker Registry: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: Improves how information about a health care waiver for people with criminal records are reported on Illinois’s Health Care Worker Registry, clarifying that people with a waiver are eligible to be hired in the health industry.

2016 Outcome: HB4515 was introduced by Representative Camille Lilly and sponsored by Senator Don Harmon in the Senate. It passed both houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 22, 2015 (Public Act – 99-0872). September 2016 21

SB2906 - Public Aid/DHS Employment: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: SB2906 allows TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients to enroll in high school and high school equivalency programs as a core program activity.

2016 Outcome: SB2906 was introduced by Senator Steve Stadelman and was sponsored by Representative Litesa Wallace in the House. The bill passed both Houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 5, 2016 (Public Act 99-0746).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Equal access to quality education and training: SB2906 allows TANF recipients to meet program requirements by enrolling in high school and high school equivalency programs. The ability to remain enrolled in high school while still receiving TANF cash assistance will help provide parents an opportunity to complete their education and on a path towards long-term economic security. September 2016 22

Income Support Recommendations

SB2340 - TANF-Child Support Disregards: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: SB2340 requires that $100 of the child support paid for one child and up to $200 for two or more children be paid to their families rather than diverted to reimburse the government for the cash Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits the families are receiving.

2016 Outcome: SB2340 was introduced by Senator Kimberly Lightford and sponsored by Representative Litesa Wallace in the House. The bill passed both houses and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 26, 2016 (Public Act 99-0899).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Increase the availability to adequate income support: Under current law, a family receiving TANF cash assistance receives only $50 of a child support payment, no matter what the non-custodial parent actually pays. The rest of the child support payment is kept by the state and the federal government. Many of the families who need child support the most benefit little, if any, from the child support collected on their behalf because states may opt to retain the money as reimbursement for TANF benefits. Illinois should maximize the amount of money that goes directly to families experiencing extreme poverty by improving the pass through and disregard policies that determine how much families who receive TANF benefit from the child support collected for them by the state.

SB2196 - Student Access – In State Student Aid: LOSING GROUND

Bill Summary: SB2196 will provide legal authority to 4-year public universities in Illinois to provide financial aid to undocumented students who enroll at their institutions. Eligible participants are individuals who qualify for Illinois residency, but are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

2016 Outcome: SB2196 was introduced by Senator Iris Martinez and sponsored by Representative Hernandez in the House. The bill passed in the Senate and was assigned to the House Higher Education Committee but no further action was taken on the bill.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Equal access to quality education and training. Many college students rely on financial aid to attend college. This bill will help ensure that Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status, have an equal opportunity to an affordable quality education, and the chance to escape poverty. September 2016 23

SB2236 - Student Loan Default: LOSING GROUND

Bill Summary: SB2236 prevents a worker from having their professional license revoked if they default on a student loan provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

2016 Outcome: SB2236 was introduced by Senator Scott Bennett and sponsored by Representative in the House. The bill passed in the Senate and was assigned to the House Businesses & Occupational Licenses Committee but no further action was taken.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Equal access to quality education and training: Over 40 million Americans owe some type of student loan, and 2 in 5 student loan borrowers default on a loan within the first five years of repayment6. Stripping a worker of an occupational license is tantamount to stripping them of their job, making repaying the debt itself even more difficult. Default on a loan should not cost someone his or her ability to make a living.

SB2465 - Repeal Incarceration Cost: HOLDING STEADY

Bill Summary: SB2465 repeals the law that allows the State to file suit against the formerly incarcerated to reimburse the Department of Corrections for the expenses of their incarceration.

2016 Outcome: SB2465 was introduced by Senator Daniel Biss and sponsored by Representative Kelly Cassidy in the House. The bill passed both Houses and received an Amendatory veto from Governor Rauner on August 19, 2016.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Strengthen our safety net to ensure households and individuals have their basic needs met and their dignity affirmed: Illinois law allows the State to sue formerly incarcerated individuals – forcing people to pay for their own incarceration. Most individuals targeted by this practice are already financially insecure. Suing people for the little money they have ruins their chance of successful reentry into the community and increases recidivism.

6 Institute for Higher Education Policy, “Just How Many Student Loan Borrowers are Delinquent?” September 2016 24

Health Care Recommendations

SB2393 - Childhood Hunger – School Breakfast: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: Requires the board of education of each school district to implement and operate a Breakfast After the Bell program7 if at least 70% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches or are otherwise considered low income.

2016 Outcome: SB2393 was introduced by Senator Don Harmon and sponsored by Representative Robert Pritchard in the House. The bill passed in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 19, 2016 (Public Act 99-0850).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Increasing participation in other nutrition programs such as School Breakfast and the Summer Food Service Program: The phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” rings true in schools, where eating breakfast can lead to higher attentiveness and better performance. Unfortunately, not every child can afford breakfast, and those children are far more likely to repeat a grade, be absent or tardy. Hunger can even affect cognitive functions8. SB2393 ensures that every kid, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to a nutritious meal in the morning.

SB2147 - Healthy Work Place Act: LOSING GROUND

Bill Summary: SB2147 requires employers to provide paid sick days to employees, accrued at a rate of one hour of sick leave for every 30 days worked.

2016 Outcome: SB2147 was introduced by Senator Toi Hutchinson and passed out of the Senate Executive Committee, but no further action was taken on the bill.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Ensure that all employees have a right to paid sick leave: No matter what type of job an employee holds, they’re going to get sick, and have days where they physically cannot come into work. Coming to work while sick is costly for companies and leads to lower work productivity.9Giving paid sick days boosts workplace performance, and ensures the employee a healthy recovery process, free from worrying about clocking in hours to pay the bills.

7 Breakfast After the Bell programs are School Breakfast Programs that are both convenient and available to all. Breakfast is offered free to every student regardless of income at a time when they are already in school, significantly increases participation. 8 Food Research and Action Center, “Breakfast for Learning” 9 Women Employed, “ESTC Fact Sheet” September 2016 25

SB3007 - Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Act: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: SB3007 provides access to critical services (TANF, SNAP and Medicaid) for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking, torture and other serious crimes while they wait for a decision on their visa application.

2016 Outcome: SB3007 was introduced in by Senator Jacqueline Collins and sponsored by Representative Lisa Hernandez. The bill passed in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 22, 2015 (Public Act 99-0870).

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Identify rules, policies, practices and procedures that hinder the participation of eligible people in safety net programs and take effective action to remove these barriers: Foreign-born survivors of human trafficking and torture who are not legally authorized to work until they receive their visa, nor are they eligible for federally funded public benefits programs. Without income or resources to meet their most basic needs, survivors are all the more vulnerable to continued exploitation during the visa application process.

HB5736 - Insurance – ALL KIDS Repeal Date: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: Amends the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act. Extends the program’s sunset from July 1, 2016 to October 1, 2019.

2016 Outcome: HB5736 was introduced by Representative and sponsored by Senator Iris Martinez in the Senate. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on June 30, 2016 (Public Act 99-0518)

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Protect, restore and enhance access to quality health care: 1.5 million children are enrolled in ALL KIDS. Illinois’s ALL KIDS program is a national model for ensuring children have access to health care. Authorizing the program for another three years will ensure that Illinois children continue to benefit from this innovative program. . September 2016 26

HB6027 - Healthy Local Foods Incentives: MAKING PROGRESS

Bill Summary: HB6027 requires the Department of Human Services to create a Healthy Local Foods Incentives Program to double the purchasing power of food stamps for fruits and vegetables at Illinois farmers markets.

2016 Outcome: HB6027 was introduced by Representative Michael Tryon and sponsored by Senator Don Harmon in the Senate. The bill passed in both Houses and received an amendatory veto by the Governor on August 19, 2016.

Commission Recommendation that would be advanced: Ensure access to adequate food and nutrition: Many people experiencing poverty are struggling to make ends meet and provide adequate nutritious food for themselves and their families. HB6027 will provide access to healthy, nutritious foods for SNAP recipients and help stretch food budgets even further. September 2016 27

Looking Forward to 2017

In the coming year the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty hopes to build on the progress made this past legislative session. While the decline in the poverty rates and the number of bills signed into law signal meaningful progress, it is clear that we are at a critical moment in time.

Illinois has entered its second year without a state budget, and the burden of the budget crisis falls on the backs of the millions of Illinoisans in poverty. The resulting erosion of services that help connect people to work, ensure low-income workers can access child care, provide MAP grants for students seeking an education, and help survivors of violence recover will make it much more difficult for people to meet their basic needs and move out of poverty.

The increase in income inequality and the persistent racial disparities reflected in this years’ poverty data tell us that Illinois is leaving low-income families and communities of color behind. As we look forward to 2017 we should target our anti-poverty efforts to strengthen programs and advance policies that ensure equity and opportunity for all Illinoisans. September 2016 28

Commission Membership Janice Glenn* Office of the Governor - Illinois Evelyn Diaz* Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights Brian Colgan Lt Governor's Office Nirav Shah IDPH Juana Ballesteros IDPH Michelle Gentry Wiseman IDPH Eric Zarnikow Illinois Student Assistance Commission Katharine Gricevich Illinois Student Assistance Commission Shawn McGady HFS Embarina Meniola HFS Vinni Hall ISBE John Egan DCFS Hector Villagrana DHR James Dimas DHS Antonio Baxton DCEO Jacqueline Collins State Senator - 16th District - Democrat Mary Flowers State Representative - 31st District - Democrat State Representative - 18th District - Democrat Michael B. Golden Illinois Education Foundation Jim Hires Eastern Illinois Food Bank Andy Kulczycki Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Eithne McMenamin Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Layla Suleiman Illinois Latino Family Commission Wendy Pollack Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Al Riddley Illinois Coalition for Community Services Gayle Nelson Michael Holmes Illinois African-American Family Commission Maria Whelan Illinois Action for Children Ricardo Estrada Metropolitan Family Services Victor Dickson Safer Foundation Manuel Barbosa Dalitso Sulamoyo Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies Tina Rounds BEDS Plus Care, Inc.

* indicates chair of the Commission