WBEZ 91.5
January 16, 2013
From WBEZ 91.5:
The Heartland Alliance’s Social Impact Research Center released a report today that suggest nearly a third of Illinois residents live in or near poverty.
The report explores who is in poverty, why they are in poverty, and possible solutions.
One of their findings is that poverty is becoming more common in the suburbs. Take the example of Kathy Kirwin in Dupage County. Kirwin’s 55 and works through a temp agency. Right now, she works a mailroom job. But it’s not enough.
“I just became homeless in May of 2012 and started living in my car in August,” Kirwin said.
Suburban poverty presents its own challenges. Kerwin has trouble getting to different social services, like shelters where she can shower.
“It’s like, I got 2 quarters of a tank. Is that going to be enough to do all the things I need to do to get to work everyday,” Kerwin said. “Can I go take a shower? Can I go to the food pantries?”
An author of Heartlands report says high poverty numbers aren’t just about the recession. They’re also about the long-term prevalence of temporary and low-wage jobs like Kerwin’s.
