Advocating for the kids of Illinois.
Filling the gap between school and home.
Illinois Ranked
Overall Child Well-Being in Illinois
In the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, New England states hold the top three spots for overall child well-being. New Hampshire ranks first, followed by Vermont and Massachusetts. Mississippi (48th), Louisiana (49th), and New Mexico (50th) are the three lowest-ranked states. A child’s chances of thriving depend not only on individual, family and community characteristics but also on the state in which they are born and raised. States vary in their wealth and other resources. Policy choices and investments also influence children’s chances for success.
Children in Poverty
Total in IL: 390,000
2019
2023
Children Whose Parents Lack Secure Employment
Total in IL: 654,000
2019
2023
Children Living in Households With A High Housing Cost Burden
Total in IL: 705,000
2019
2023
Teens Not in School and Not Working
Total in IL: 36,000
2019
2023
Education in Illinois
Young Children (Ages 3 and 4) Not in School
Total in IL: 144,000
2014-2018
2019-2023
Fourth-graders Not Proficient in Reading
Total in IL: N/A
2019
2024
Eighth-graders Not Proficient in Math
Total in IL: N/A
2019
2024
High School Students Not Graduating on Time
Total in IL: N/A
2018/19
2021/22
Health in Illinois
Low Birth-weight Babies
Total in IL: 11,071
2019
2023
Children Without Health Insurance
Total in IL: 93,000
2019
2023
Child and Teen Deaths Per 100,000
Total in IL: 868
2019
2023
Children and Teens Ages 10 To 17 Who Are Overweight or Obese
Total in IL: N/A
2018-2019
2022-2023
Family and Community in Illinois
Children in Single-parent Families
Total in IL: 890,000
2019
2023
Children in Families Where The Household Head Lacks A High School Diploma
Total in IL: 256,000
2019
2023
Children Living in High-poverty Areas
Total in IL: 177,000
2014-2018
2019-2023
Teen Births Per 1,000
Total in IL: 4,324
2019
2023
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book Interactive