Quincy, Adams County see rising poverty, declining family income

3 months ago

But child care and health care access has improved over the last decade

The poverty rate for children in Adams County has doubled since 1999.

The annual Illinois Kids Count report is out and shows while the state has made gains in providing health care and child care, family income is declining while child poverty is on the rise.

Karol Ehmen of Chaddock said the school is seeing lower enrollment numbers with a 65 percent decrease this year from last year.

“We’re seeing a decrease in the number of children that we’re taking in to foster care and in to substitute care…it’s something we’ve really worked at here at Chaddock,” Ehmen said. “We always have to have an eye toward the future to make sure we’re keeping programs funded and we maintain consistency as we go forward because there will always be some need.”

The child poverty rate in Adams County rose from 12 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2011.   Over the same period of time, the statewide child poverty rate increased from 14 percent to 20 percent.

And between 1999 and 2011, median income for families with children, adjusted for inflation, declined by 14 percent in Adams County, compared with 12 percent statewide. 

Here are some other local statistics:

Medical assistance:  Between 2005 and 2011, children’s enrollment in Medicaid and related programs in Adams County increased by 38 percent, compared with 45 percent statewide.

Preschool:   Between FY 2009 and FY 2012, the number of state-funded preschool program slots in Adams County declined by 37 percent, compared with 12 percent statewide.

Low-income student enrollment:  In school year 2011-12, low-income student enrollment was 53 percent in the Quincy School District, compared with 49 percent statewide.

High school graduation rates:  In school year 2010-11, the high school graduation rate in the Quincy School District was 86 percent, compared with 82 percent statewide.

Substitute/Foster care: In 2011, the number of children in substitute care or foster care in Adams County reached its highest level since 1998. However, we are pleased to report that as of 2012 there is a downward trend and in fact we saw 65% fewer children enter foster care in 2012.

Child abuse and neglect:  During FY09-FY11, the average rate of child abuse and neglect in Adams County was 16.6 per 1,000, compared with the statewide rate of 8.3.

Child population:  From 1990 to 2010, the child population in Adams County fell by 9 percent, compared to an increase of 6 percent statewide.

School District Revenue Per Pupil from Local, State, and Federal Sources, FY 2011:      

                                          Local        State     Federal

 

Quincy SD 172                6,507         3,522     1,631

 

Statewide                                       Local      State     Federal 

Unit school districts                         7,343     4,313     1,727

All school districts                            8,894     3,743     1,418

www.voices4kids.org