United for ALICE logo with stylized human figures in yellow, blue, and red colors next to the text.

The United Way's ALICE (Assets Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) initiative is critical in understanding the financial challenges faced by a significant segment of the population that, despite being employed, struggles to meet basic needs. ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living, making them vulnerable to financial instability. These annual reports provide invaluable data on the number of ALICE households, their demographic characteristics, and the economic pressures they face. This information is crucial for policymakers, community leaders, and service providers to develop targeted strategies and programs to support these households, ensuring they can achieve financial stability and thrive in their communities. The insights from ALICE reports help drive informed decisions and foster collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately working towards a more equitable society.

Not a “Small Problem”

Across the state of Illinois those who are struggling to pay all their bills has increased to 25% of households. A total of 37% when you include those households living under the federal poverty line.

Pie chart showing distribution of population above and below ALICE threshold. 63% above ALICE, 37% below ALICE threshold, with 12% in poverty and 25% ALICE.

The number of households living at or below the federal poverty line has remained fairly stable over recent years, however the ALICE household numbers have seen a steady increase year over year since 2019.

Line graph comparing the number of households below the ALICE and poverty levels in Illinois from 2010 to 2023, showing trends and data points for each year.

2025 State of Illinois Update

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2025 Tazewell Co. Data Sheet

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