Poverty, Taxes, and Debating Tax Policy

The Daily Eastern News has published an article looking closely at the upcoming general election, the views of candidates on tax policy, and local initiatives to implement a facilities tax for the public schools.  These are VERY important issues, and worth understanding completely before voting on March 18.

 

 

Food Insecurity Article in the Daily Eastern News

The Daily Eastern News, the newspaper on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, published the second in a series of article looking at poverty and food insecurity in Coles County.  Here is the latest article in the series: Food Insecurity Widespread in Coles County.

There is also an article in the print edition about the Hunger Action Team, a campus organization fighting food insecurity and poverty on campus and in the community.

I, again, am grateful to Michael Spencer for the self-imposed challenging task of writing about these issues.

DEN News 07-Feb-2014

The Daily Eastern News, the newspaper on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, is starting a series on poverty in Coles County.  Here is the first article in the series: Food Insecurity, Poverty Rates High in Coles County

I am grateful to Michael Spencer for the self-imposed challenging task of writing about these issues.

New Infographic for 2012

Using American Community Survey Data from 2008-2012, the latest CCPDP Infographic shows continued elevated levels of poverty and food insecurity, especially when compared to state-wide and nation-wide numbers.

 

 

One point detailed in this graphic is the large gap between 130% of poverty for those families who are eligible for federal food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the 185% level of income where individuals and families are still at increased risk of not having enough to eat.  over ten percent of all Coles County families fall into this gap, and for families with children, nearly 1 in 7 families – 14.5% – face increased risk but limited access to food assistance.

While more detailed poverty maps are on their way, this infographic represents the latest analysis of the most recently available data.

Enjoy, and please feel free to comment with your thoughts.