Project IRENE

A Glimpse of Illinois in Quiz Form

1.  What county is the poorest in Illinois?

2.  Illinois' economy is the fifth largest in the United States.  True or False?

3.  Regressive tax structure means that the lowest income families pay a larger share of their income toward state and local taxes than wealthier families. True or False? 

4.  What is the poverty rate 

· for Asians in IL?  

· for Blacks in IL?  

· for Latinas/os in IL? 

· for Seniors in IL?  

· for Children in IL?

5.  In the year 2000 the share of the Chicago region's poor living in the suburbs was 34%. In 2013, the share was 44%.  True or False?

6.  There are 102 counties in Illinois.  Of these 40 are on the Poverty Watch or the Poverty Warning lists.
True or False? 

7.  In Illinois, 14.7% are living in poverty.  True or False?

8.  In Illinois, 14.2% of the population experience food insecurity. True or False?

9. In Illinois, adults without a high school diploma or GED represent what percentage of the population? 

10. How many housing units in Illinois are in any stage of foreclosure--1 in 763? 1 in 848?   1 in 976?

11. Supportive housing subsidies increase resources for homeless prevention programs and supportive housing.  True or False?

12. Quality education from Pre-K through grade school, high school and beyond prepares students for success in careers and in life. True or False?

Answers

1.  Alexander.   

2.   True.   

3.  True.   

4.   Asians--11.9%; Blacks--31.6%; Latina/os--20.7%; Seniors--8.8%; Children--20.7%

5.  False.  The share in 2013 was 48%.   

6.  False.  46 counties are on the Poverty Watch or Poverty Warning lists. 
7.   True.   

8.   True.  
9.   12.2%.    

10. 1 in 848.   

11.   True.   

12. True

Sources: Feeding America; Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy; Poor by Comparison: Report on Illinois Poverty; Realty Trac; U.S. Census Bureau

Project IRENE, an initiative of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Illinois to impact systems change beneficial for women and children.

Rose Mary Meyer, BVM, Director

2041 Elmwood Avenue   
Wilmette, IL  60091

 708 724-5852        
projectirene@aol.com

FFA of NORMAL COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL SHARES POTATOES

A PIECE OF THE PIE

By Sister Glenda Bourgeois, O.S.U.

             Fall has always been pie season for me.  I think of the favorites, apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and even cherry pie.  As we gather round the table in a spirit of hospitality we share the pie that is scored in equal pieces.  Each one is able to savor a piece of the pie.

I am also reminded of another reality as I think of pie eating.  A pie represents a whole.  It is the sum of the parts or pieces that make it up.  The other reality that comes to mind as I think of a pie is another whole of which we are all a part.  We share our beautiful earth home and its seemingly infinite resources.  We live at peace when in a spirit of hospitality we can all have a piece of this pie: however, we all know that in too many instances today our earth home and its resources are cut very unequally.  Some have more than they need and leaving others with little or nothing.  Clare House is very aware of this sad situation and tries to be a peacemaker and equalize the situation by ongoing service at the Loaves and Fishes kitchen and the food pantry.  It is because of the generous donations that you continue to make, everyone who comes can enjoy “a piece of the Pie.”  at the beginning of yet another annual food drive we are certain that we can count on you to provide hospitality to all who come to our table.

U-HIGH BASKETBALL TEAM

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

By Brian Bernhardt

From sixth grade until my senior year in high school I helped, along with my three older brothers, on our Saturday mornings at the Clare House making bags, checking dates, and bringing in deliveries (the amount of things I was able to bring in certainly changed in that small amount of time!)  All those hours in service, with good people, who cared for the less fortunate in our community really changed me for the better.  It is safe to say I would not be here, in Buffalo, New York, going to a college seminary in which I am thinking about being a Catholic missionary priest, if not for my many 9 to 11’s spent at the Clare House.