Over one-third of Cook County residents struggle to afford basic needs: Study

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new study has found that more than one-third of Cook County residents are struggling to afford the basic costs of living.

There's an acronym for these individuals: ALICE, which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. They're the working poor, and Ethne McMenamin, public policy director for United Way of Illinois, said their numbers have increased since 2019.

“It’s folks working in child care centers; it’s the barista who you got your coffee from this morning; it’s retail workers; it’s these kinds of folks that you really [don’t] see and interact with,” McMenamin said.

She said most of them make too much money to qualify for public assistance. As for where they can find help: Richard LaPratt, executive director of 211 Metro Chicago, said they can dial 211.

“You will speak to a live agent in Cook County that can help you find resources that are going to help you fill needs,” LaPratt said.

LaPratt said those resources can include needed social services from partner organizations.

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