4 million people living in poverty
Updated: January 18, 2013
SPRINGFIELD -- More people in Illinois are struggling to make ends meet than ever before.
A new report shows one out of every three people across the state are living right around the poverty level. That's about $45,000 a year or less for a family of four.
Jill Weil says she never thought she could end up unemployed, let alone homeless. Now she lives at a shelter in Springfield. She has a minimum-wage job, but says it is not enough to survive.
The state's struggling budget is partly to blame for the spike in poverty across Illinois. If more cuts have to be made that means less state help can go to those who need it most. Weil says she feels like there is no way to dig herself out. She says she's scared once she gets back on her feet, if more cuts are made or taxes are increased, she could end up right back in the shelter again.
A new report shows one out of every three people across the state are living right around the poverty level. That's about $45,000 a year or less for a family of four.
Jill Weil says she never thought she could end up unemployed, let alone homeless. Now she lives at a shelter in Springfield. She has a minimum-wage job, but says it is not enough to survive.
The state's struggling budget is partly to blame for the spike in poverty across Illinois. If more cuts have to be made that means less state help can go to those who need it most. Weil says she feels like there is no way to dig herself out. She says she's scared once she gets back on her feet, if more cuts are made or taxes are increased, she could end up right back in the shelter again.
