The annual statistical measure of what it means to be a kid in Illinois shows one in five children lived in poverty in 2010.  The Voices for Illinois Children annual Kids County Report says children are losing in a budget crossfire between state and federal policymakers. The report assesses a variety of areas in a child’s well-being including education, health and development and economic security.   
Illinois was previously recognized as a national leader for 3 and 4 year-old Pre-K education.  But the report says over FY 2010 and 2011 more than 11,400 children were turned-out of Pre-K programs and another 6,700 are expected to lose their seats in the current fiscal year. That says nothing about 2 year-olds turning 3 with no access.   

The report says more than 33,000 Illinois Public School children were homeless in 2010. Martha Herm is the Director of the Peoria Center for Prevention of Abuse. She says an estimated half of those kids are homeless as a result of domestic violence. Herm says “that points to why we all have to get on board to stop the violence in homes, because what happens in homes clearly spills out into the schools, into our work places and into our streets.”

The report says 95% of children in the state had health care coverage in 2010 and that’s one of the best rates in the nation. Further the Earned Income Tax Credit coupled with and Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program move 120,000 Illinois Children above the poverty line.  

Voices for Illinois Children says congressional proposals to change or reduce funding risks progress made in both areas.

Peoria Statistics:
* 75% of students in Peoria were considered low-income in the 2010-2011 school year. The state average was 48%.
* Peoria County’s median household income was $48,748 in 2009-2010. That’s 9% below the statewide media.