Illinois children’s chances of success varies by County

2017 ILLINOIS KIDS COUNT Data Book Shows That Despite Progress, The State Must Work Harder To Address The Barriers Facing Low-Income And Minority Children

Voices for Illinois Children has released the 2017 ILLINOIS KIDS COUNT Data Book finding that Illinois children’s educational success drastically varies based on the county in which they live. The data proved that large gaps in achievement and attainment, across the state, disproportionally impact low-income and minority children in communities that lack funding for quality educational programming.

“The data in the 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book clearly proves that tobuild a future for Illinois where every child is a high achiever, we must reduce systemic inequities and increase support for the students who need it most,” said Tasha Green Cruzat, President of Voices for Illinois Children.

Illinois Kids Count

“It’s time for leaders across Illinois to fulfill their promise to all our children by providing adequate revenue for quality and competitive programming. We must close the achievement gap and give children, in every community, the tools they need to reach their full potential.”

Through recent policy and budget changes – specifically affecting early childhood education programs, K-12 funding, school breakfast options, after school program access, high school and postsecondary alignment – Illinois has taken steps to reduce educational inequities for children across the state. The 2017 KIDSCOUNT Data Book concludes that in order to build on the State’s foundation and continue the progress of these policies, Illinois must raise additional revenue.

The 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book concludes Illinois will only make systemic gains in education for all groups of students by:

Increasing investments in quality early childhood education programs for low and middle-income children;
Examining and addressing inequities in school resources, teacher and principal distribution, course rigor and discipline practices;
Coordinating support services so that every child has access to food, safe after-school programming and mental and health services.

“This information shines a clear light on where Illinois has made progress and where challenges remain,” said Anna Rowan, KIDS COUNT Manager at Voices for Illinois Children. “The expansion of access to early childhood education is promising, yet too many children still lag behind and graduate high school without the tools they need for college and a career. While new policies are a step in the right direction, we must continue to make necessary investments, especially in low-income and minority communities, so every child has the chance succeed.”

Voices for Illinois Children is the leading statewide, non-partisan advocacy organization that creates and utilizes policy research and analysis, policy advocacy, strategic communications and community engagement to advocate for and support policies and programs that improve the quality of life for children throughout Illinois. Over the past 30 years, Voices for Illinois Children has successfully advocated for a range of impactful policies including quality preschool, a fairer local tax system, and health insurance for low-income families.

To download a copy of the 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book as well as detailed fact sheets for the 40 largest counties in Illinois, visit

http://www.voices4kids.org/illinois-kids-count-2017/

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

"I write about three topics, the Middle East, politics and life in general. I often take my life experiences and offer them in an entertaining way to readers, and I take on the toughest topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict and don't pull any punches about what I feel is fair. But, my priority is always about writing the good story."

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992. Hanania began writing in 1975 when he published The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper which was distributed through 12,500 Middle East food stores in 48 American States (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues for the Arab News in Saudi Arabia at www.ArabNews.com, and at www.TheArabDailyNews.com, www.TheDailyHookah.com and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has also published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday Newspaper in New York, the Orlando Sentinel Newspapers, and the Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Palestinian, American Arab and Christian, Hanania’s parents originate from Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

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