ASN Releases GCI Youth Joblessness Findings and Urges Action
Summary
The Alternative Schools Network (ASN) released a new report authored by the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago highlighting the scale of youth and young adult joblessness in Illinois. Presented to state legislators including Kimberly Lightford, Elgie R. Sims Jr., Omar Aquino, and Norma Hernandez, the report underscores widening racial disparities in Chicago and calls for an $80 million investment in youth employment programs. ASN argues that addressing this long-standing crisis is essential to strengthening the workforce, rebuilding communities, and improving public safety.
Dear Friend of Illinois’ Youth,
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, a new landmark report revealed the staggering scope and scale of Illinois’ youth joblessness crisis:
- Illinois ranks 18th worst out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for joblessness among 16- to 19-year-olds
- Cook County ranks third-worst among large counties for young adults who are out of school and out of work
- Between 2019 and 2024, Chicago’s racial gap widened between White and Black teenagers. Joblessness among White teenagers declined by 13.6 percentage points (from 76.4% to 62.8%), while joblessness among Black teenagers declined by just 2.9 points (from 84.8% to 81.9%)
Those are among the sobering facts in the report authored by the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago and commissioned by the Alternative Schools Network,
Nationwide, teenage unemployment exceeded 10 percent in 74 of the last 78 years, while the same threshold was crossed only once for prime-age workers. The analysis concludes youth joblessness is not cyclical, temporary or self-correcting — it is a long-standing policy failure.
In response, the Alternative Schools Network is calling on Illinois to invest $80 million in jobs programs to develop our workforce and increase public safety (A Chicago-based study by the University of Chicago found that structured youth employment programs can lead to a 42% reduction in violent crime arrests.)
The report, A Normalized Crisis: Youth and Young Adult Joblessness and Disconnection in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and the U.S., 2019-2024, was released to several Illinois and Chicago lawmakers during a presentation at The Union League Club of Chicago Feb. 11. In attendance were:
- Illinois State General Assembly Members:
- Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-4th), Senate majority leader
- Sen. Elgie Sims Jr. (D-17th)
- Sen. Omar Aquino (D-2nd)
- Rep. Norma Hernandez (D-77th)
- Chicago City Council Members:
- Ald. Jason Ervin (28th)
- Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th)
If the figures in this report were for adult workers, we believe the state would swiftly enact policies to keep Illinois’ economy from stalling. An $80 million investment in our future workforce is needed to support our youth, help rebuild communities, reduce violent crime and lower the chances of long-term unemployment our youth now face.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
With my best regards,
Jack Wuest
Executive Director
Alternative Schools Network