Here are some rather eye-opening statistics relating to Illinois from a post by Bryce Hill at RealClearPolicy:
According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the average Illinoisan earns approximately $55,770 per year at work. Meanwhile, the Illinois Policy Institute found if that person stayed home with their kids and collected unemployment, they could earn $51,627.
So go to work, average $55,770 and pay for child care, transportation and taxes. Or stay home, skip the expenses and get up to $51,627. It appears Illinois’ unemployment benefits are incentivizing workers to stay home.
I found those reported numbers a bit hard to believe since they’re not in agreement with the Census Bureau. But let’s just take them at face value. There are presently 120,000 jobs posted on the state’s jobs site. Why would a person earning a median income or below take one of them? That’s a question. I don’t know. I also find it hard to justify the governor’s support for continuing the enhanced unemployment benefits. I’m open to explanations.
I do find the mismatch between those facts and figures and the claim that the way to reduce the number of homicides is through jobs programs grimly amusing. What good are jobs programs if people won’t take the jobs? Other than for the people administering the jobs program, I mean.
I am a bit skeptical, as well. It is never mentioned, but the rent moratorium increases one’s income.
The biggest problem with getting off welfare is that earning one penny over the limit means all assistance is gone, and there is no graduated decrease. Additionally, you need to repay everything for that year.