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Jobs and Financial Stability Archive

Jobs and Financial Stability Files

Educational Attainment

Modified on 18 August 2010

Educational Attainment: DuPage adults in general have achieved higher levels of education than adults in other parts of the state with 45% of adults achieving a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Even racial and ethnic minorities in DuPage are more educated than their counterparts elsewhere although there are significant disparities. Hispanics, even in DuPage, lag substantially in educational achievement. Because this is the fastest growing segment of our population, it will be important to our economy and workforce to improve the education levels of this population. Strategies to address these disparities focus on pre-school and early success in school, high school success and graduation, and post-secondary education.

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Category: Jobs and Financial Stability

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Unemployment Rate

Modified on 10 August 2010

Unemployment Rate: Unemployment rates are lower in DuPage than in Illinois and the nation, but unemployment is affecting DuPage more now than in economic downturns in the past. This change in our relationship to the national economy is associated with the slower job growth in DuPage, which means that we are less insulated from national trends. Further, unemployment is significantly higher for younger persons, minorities, and those with less education. Strategies need to emphasize education, training, and job seeker services. For a low-income population that often has multiple barriers to overcome, employment services should be included as part of broader case management approach.

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Poverty and Self Sufficiency

Modified on 04 August 2010

Poverty and Self Sufficiency: Poverty is growing in DuPage (increasing by 149% from 1990 to 2008), and it is not evenly distributed. Women are affected more than men in all racial and ethnic groups but particularly Hispanic. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionally impacted, and the growth in child poverty exceeds the growth rate in other age groups. However, an income above poverty is still far from achieving self-sufficiency, and measures of what it takes to be self-sufficient show DuPage as the most expensive part of the region to live in. While short-term strategies focus on meeting the basic needs of people in poverty, long-term strategies need to address barriers to self-sufficiency and improvements in education and employability.

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Category: Jobs and Financial Stability

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Affordable Housing

Modified on 04 August 2010

Affordable Housing: Finding and maintaining housing that is affordable is a struggle for many low-income households in DuPage, and the data suggest that it will be a growing concern due to the growth our lower-income population. The cost burden of low-income residents in DuPage is the highest in the region, and it is substantially higher than state and national figures. The high cost of transportation in DuPage also adds to the burden on low-income households. In addition, the mortgage crisis seems to disproportionally be affecting lower income and minority homeowners. The high cost of housing in DuPage is partly market driven, but it is also affected by local government policies. So, intervening in the market with subsidies and special financing can help, but it is also necessary to affect attitudes about affordable housing and the policies that form barriers. The Needs Assessment describes actions in DuPage that are focusing on both of these areas.

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Category: Jobs and Financial Stability

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Stability for People with Disabilities

Modified on 20 August 2010

Stability for People with Disabilities: Incidences of disabilities in DuPage are lower than national and state figures but similar to other suburbs. People with disabilities in DuPage are more successful than elsewhere in gaining employment but still not as successful as those without disabilities. However, our oldest residents (75+) are just as likely to have a disability and have needs similar to anywhere else. Our population with developmental disabilities appears to be underserved by State programs compared to other parts of the state. The Needs Assessment describes resources to address these issues including help in finding employment, services for an aging population, and services for people with developmental disabilities.

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Category: Jobs and Financial Stability

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Teen and Single Parents

Modified on 20 August 2010

Teen and Single Parents: Teen birth rates are very low in DuPage when compared to the nation, the state, and surrounding counties. The rate of births to single mothers is also lower in DuPage, but certain groups have disproportionately high rates for single mothers. Most notably, African American mothers in DuPage are slightly more likely to be single in DuPage, when the child is born, than in Illinois in general. These factors will affect current and future financial stability. Cited research shows that teen parentage, single parentage, and the mother not having a high school diploma or GED are three strong predictors that the child will grow up in poverty. The Needs Assessment describes one agency in DuPage (Teen Parent Connection) that specifically focuses on teen parenting issues.

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