Batavia United Way

Equipped with the new data for our Kane County and Illinois, there’s no better time to act for ALICE. Together, we can build a future where quality child care, housing that’s affordable, and strong physical and mental health are within reach for *all*.

📘 Read the report at UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois
💸 Donate at https://bataviaunitedway.org/ways_to_give/
📢 Speak out and advocate with us – learn more at https://bataviaunitedway.org/advocate/

United is the Way to help ALICE rise.

Bringing ALICE to financial stability takes an all-hands-on-deck approach. But thanks to your support, Batavia United Way of is helping ALICE rise.

From prescription drug support for seniors and child care to rent and utility assistance, we’re turning insight into action. See how these programs are helping to build a brighter future for our community: https://BataviaUnitedWay.org

ALICE keeps our economy running but still can’t afford the basics.

Minimum-wage workers in our state saw their pay go up to $14/hour in 2024, up from $13 in 2023. Yet, for a full-time adult worker and one school-age child, this hourly wage wasn’t enough to support the ALICE Household Survival Budget – the minimum cost of basics – in ANY county across Illinois.

Let’s make sure hard work is enough. Dig into The in Illinois: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois

New ALICE data highlights the industries where workers are most likely to face financial hardship — even while helping power our economy every day.

By understanding where the highest rates of hardship are, we can build clearer pathways to financial stability for working households.

Explore The in Illinios: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois

Every family deserves a clear path to stability. New ALICE data shows that while financial hardship touches every type of household, some families face steeper barriers to getting ahead.

In 2024, 71% of the youngest households and 47% of the oldest households in Kane County struggled to make ends meet – compared to 35% of those headed by someone age 25 to 44. It was a similar story for households led by single moms – 72% – compared with married-parent households at 18%.

By understanding where challenges are greatest, communities can better support families working hard to build stable, secure futures.

Explore The in Illinois: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois

Inflation hits ALICE harder.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures price changes across a broad range of goods and services — including luxury items ALICE families simply aren’t buying.

The ALICE Essentials Index focuses only on the basics families need daily, including housing, food, child care, and more.

In Illinois, the cost of those essentials rose even faster than overall inflation from 2007-2024:
📈 CPI increased by 52%
📈 ALICE Essentials Index increased by 64%

Gain more eye-opening insights through our new Report, The in Illinois: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois

The affordability crisis is real across the U.S. and in Kane County, with the cost of basics for a family of four at $ $87,432 in 2024 — while many workers earned far less.

A cook and a teller — two of the state’s most common jobs — both working full-time, brought in a combined $ $68,022. That’s $19,410 short of what’s needed just to get by.

Let’s work together to make sure that paychecks add up for ALICE and for all families. See the numbers in our latest Report, The in Illinois: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois

In Kane County, 37% of households couldn’t make ends meet in 2024. That included 8% in poverty and another 29% that were ALICE, with income above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the cost of basics. That’s nearly 2 in 5 households in our community facing impossible choices — food or medicine, rent or child care.

That’s why the data matters. By measuring households in poverty and ALICE households with income above the poverty level but still unable to afford basics, the data paints a more complete picture of financial hardship statewide.

And that picture helps local leaders and organizations respond with data-driven solutions that will benefit every community.

Explore The in Illinois: UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois or visit our website and see the report for Kane County specifically: https://bataviaunitedway.org/alice/

You see ALICE every day — but you might not know it.

Workers who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) care for children, check out groceries, cook meals, and help with everyday banking needs. Even beyond the workplace, ALICE shows up for our communities across civic, social, cultural, religious, and recreational spaces. And yet, ALICE struggles to get by, with income above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the cost of basics in their counties.

ALICE is everywhere. Let’s make sure ALICE is seen. Explore our new Report, The in Illinois, in partnership with : UnitedForALICE.org/Illinois