ALICE in our Community

Understand the Consequences of Insufficient Income

The State of ALICE in Illinois

Who is ALICE?

We all know people who are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These families work hard but don't make enough money to pay for the basics like food, housing, and childcare. They earn too much to get government help, but not enough to cover all their essential bills.

ALICE workers include

  • Child care providers
  • Home health aides
  • Cashiers

They help our communities every day but often struggle to make ends meet. These families...
ALICE Woman and child

  • Come from all backgrounds and all parts of the country
  • May work more than one job
  • Still can't afford the basics
  • Often care for others at home, making it harder to work full time
  • Live paycheck to paycheck
  • Have to make hard choices like: pay rent or food; go to the doctor or pay for childcare; buy gas or pay the electric bill

They may be your relative, friend, teacher, nurse, or neighbor, or even you might fit this description. These workers are the backbone of our economy.

Growing Financial Hardship in Illinois

In 2023, of Illinois's nearly 5.1 million households, 12% were below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and another 25% were ALICE - households with income above the FPL, but not enough to afford the minimum needed to survive. Combining these two groups, 37% of households in Illinois were below the ALICE Threshold. This alarming data comes from the latest update by United for ALICE. Find out more information about our state here.

 

 

Your donation to United Way of Central Illinois can help. By giving today, you are helping build a stronger, more resilient community. This is your chance to support emergency help for families in need. 
Donate Today

 

What It Costs to Live: The ALICE Survival Budget

The ALICE Survival Budget shows how much money families need to cover basic things like housing, food, and child care in Illinois. It looks different depending on where you live and how many people are in your family.

For example, a family with two adults, a baby, and a preschooler needs about $80,568 a year to cover just the basics. But if the adults work as a personal care aide and a stock worker, they might only earn $71,710 a year. That means they are short by $8,858 just to meet their basic needs.

Find out more about Sangamon County details here.

ALICE family - Woman and childrenWhy It's Hard to Keep Up

The cost of living changes depending on where you live in Illinois or the U.S. A family's ability to pay for basics depends not only on how much things cost, but also how much money they can earn.

 

ALICE WAGE TOOL

The ALICE Wage Tool helps identify where certain wages can support the Household Survival Budget for different household types.

Example:

  • Wage: $9 per hour
  • Household type: Family of three (two workers and one child)
  • Outcome: Two adults working full time, year round at $9 per hour cannot support basic household costs in any U.S. city

Example:

  • Wage: $14 per hour
  • Household type: Family of three (two workers and one child)
  • Outcome: Two adults working full-time, year round at $14 per hour can afford the Household Survival Budget in 53% of U.S. counties.

This tool helps people understand what wages are needed to cover basic needs for different families.

UNITED FOR ALICE Wage Tool

United Way's Efforts to Support Local Households

United Way of Central Illinois is dedicated to addressing financial challenges through various initiatives:

1. Financial Education and Support Programs

Providing resources and funding grant partners to help families manage their finances, build savings, and plan for emergencies.

2. Advocacy for Policy Changes:

United Way of Illinois, the statewide association of local United Way agencies, works to advocate for policies that support affordable housing, child care, healthcare, and access to broadband internet.

3. Community Investment:

Funding local programs that offer critical services such as job training, food assistance, and emergency financial aid.

4. Collaboration with Partners:

Partnering with businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to create a network of support, ensuring they have access to the resources they need.

5. Tangible Support Services:

Offering 24/7/365 support through our 2-1-1 helpline number, individuals can find resources and assistance when they need it. United Way of Central Illinois' ALICE Emergency Fund is building resiliency and creating a thriving community one family at a time.