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Juvenile Justice System and Risk Factor Data - Illinois Criminal ...

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Figure 3<br />

Poverty rates for <strong>Illinois</strong> youth ages 0 to 17 by region, 1997–2007<br />

25,000<br />

Rate per 100,000 youth ages 0 to 17<br />

20,000<br />

15,000<br />

10,000<br />

5,000<br />

0<br />

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007<br />

Calendar year<br />

Cook Northern Central Southern <strong>Illinois</strong><br />

Source: U.S. Census Bureau<br />

Temporary assistance to needy families<br />

The United States Department of Health <strong>and</strong> Human Services (DHHS) grants states federal funds<br />

to implement the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program. In <strong>Illinois</strong>, these<br />

funds are distributed locally by IDHS. Citizens apply for assistance at their local TANF agency<br />

<strong>and</strong>, if they meet certain requirements, are offered temporary financial assistance to help pay for<br />

shelter, utilities, <strong>and</strong> other expenses. The TANF cash grant is separate from the Food Stamp<br />

Program. In <strong>Illinois</strong>, the average monthly TANF cash grant is $239. 12<br />

From FY02 to FY07, a significant reduction was seen in the average monthly number of families<br />

with children ages 0 to 18 in <strong>Illinois</strong> receiving TANF. In FY02, an average of 106,550 youth<br />

were living in families that received TANF monthly, while in FY07, an average of 70,132 youth<br />

received TANF monthly, a reduction of 34 percent.<br />

A reduction also was seen nationally in youth recipients of TANF funding. This drastic reduction<br />

is largely attributed to the five-year time limitations placed on TANF recipients in the 1996<br />

welfare reforms. (See Personal Responsibility <strong>and</strong> Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of<br />

1996, Pub. L. No. 104-193, 110 STAT. 2105). Therefore, TANF data may not reflect reduced<br />

need, but increased restrictions of benefits.<br />

In October 2002, six TANF offices in <strong>Illinois</strong> were closed <strong>and</strong> counties started combining<br />

services. In February 2005, five more TANF offices were closed <strong>and</strong> TANF services were<br />

combined with other counties.<br />

14

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