• In 2014, for 16 to 19 year olds in Chicago, 12.4 percent of Blacks, 15.0 percent of Hispanic or Latinos, and 24.4 percent of Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) were employed. This compared to the national figure of 28.8 percent suggests that youth in Chicago are less likely to be employed.
• In Chicago, the jobless rate for Black 16 to 19 year olds was 88 percent. For Hispanic or Latinos 16 to 19 year olds, 85 percent were jobless in 2014.
• In Chicago, the percentage of Hispanic or Latino 16 to 19 year olds that was employed declined from 25.5 percent in 2005 to 15 percent in 2014, (reflecting a 42 percent drop). Employment for White (non-Hispanic or Latino) 16 to 19 year olds, although higher than either Black or Latino youth, also dropped during this period.
• The biggest decline of employment rates among 16 to 19 year olds in the U.S., Illinois and Chicago was among female Latinas in Chicago, with a 44 percent drop.
• In Illinois in 2014, 84 percent of Black 16 to 19 year olds and 72 percent of Hispanic or Latino 16 to 19 year olds were jobless. Employment rates decreased by 13 percent for Blacks and 20 percent for Hispanic or Latinos from 2005 to 2014.
• In the U.S. in 2014, 79 percent of Black 16 to 19 year olds and 74 percent of Hispanic or Latino 16 to 19 year olds were jobless. Employment rates decreased 14 percent for Blacks and 21 percent for Hispanic or Latinos from 2005 to 2014.
• Across all groups in Chicago, Illinois and the U.S., the percentages of 16 to 19 year olds employed have dropped from 2005 to 2014, suggesting a long-term downward trend for employment of teens.
• For 20 to 24 year olds in Chicago, joblessness in 2014 was 59 percent for Blacks, 37 percent for Hispanic or Latinos, and 27 percent for Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos).
• Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) were the only group that had an increased employment rate in 2014 from 2005 for 20 to 24 year olds.
• Among 20 to 24 year olds, Chicago had a higher percentage of Blacks that were out of work than the U.S. and Illinois. 41 percent of Blacks in Chicago, 19 percent of Hispanic or Latinos and 7 percent of Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) were out of school and out of work in 2014.
• In Chicago among 20 to 24 year olds, a higher percent of Hispanic or Latino were out of work and out of school than in Illinois by 2.7 percentage points and was 1.0 percentage point lower than the U.S.
• The largest gaps in out of school and out of work 20 to 24 populations between race/ethnic groups were in Chicago where there was 22.2 percentage points between Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) and Hispanic or Latinos and 34.2 percentage points between Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) and Blacks.
• In Chicago, the jobless and out of school rate for Black 20 to 24 year olds is more than 6 times higher than for White (non-Hispanic or Latino) 20 to 24 year olds.
• Among 20 to 24 year olds, Chicago had a higher percentage of Blacks and Hispanic or Latinos that were out of work than the U.S. and Illinois.
• Among 20 to 24 year olds, 59.2 percent of Blacks, 37 percent of Hispanic or Latinos and 26 percent of Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) were out of work in Chicago in 2014.
• For 20 to 24 year olds, Illinois, compared to the U.S., had a higher percentage of Blacks out of work and a lower percent of Whites (non-Hispanic or Latino) and Hispanics out of work.
• Among 20 to 24 year olds, the largest gaps in out of work between race/ethnic groups was in Chicago where there was 10.9 percentage points between Blacks and Hispanic or Latinos and 33.5 percentage points between Whites (non-Hispanic or Latinos) and Blacks.
• In 2014, jobless rates for 20 to 24 year olds were highest on the South and West Sides of the city and were lowest on the North, Northwest and Southwest sides of the City.
• Areas with 40 percent to 60 percent and 60 percent to 80 percent of jobless individuals are consistent with the areas with the highest concentration of Black Individuals age 18 to 24 with over 90 percent Black populations.
• Higher percentages of 16 to 19 year olds were out of • work in 2014 compared to 20 to 24 year olds for all groups and geographies.
• In 2014, the rate of 18 percent of 16 to 24 year olds
in Chicago who are out of school and out of work is higher than the U.S., Illinois, New York City and Los • Angeles rates.
• The rate of Black 16 to 24 year olds that were out of school and out of work rate in 2014 in Chicago (31 percent) was higher than the rate for Blacks in the U.S., Illinois, New York City, and Los Angeles.
• 23.2 percentage points separate the out of school and out of work rates for Black and White (non- Hispanic or Latino) 16 to 24 year olds in 2014.
• In comparison to the U.S., Illinois, New York City and Los Angeles, Chicago had the highest percent of Black 16 to 19 year olds (14.3 percent) and 20 to 24 year olds (41 percent) that were out of work and out of school in 2014.
• A higher proportion of Black 16 to 19 year olds and 20 to 24 year olds were out of school and out of work in Illinois than in the U.S. Illinois had 3.3 percentage points more Black 16 to 19 year olds and 9.8 percentage points more 20 to 24 year olds that were out of work and out of school than the U.S.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:33 am:
Thank you for featuring this report.
- Bill White - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:35 am:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/25/business/public-sector-jobs-vanish-and-blacks-take-blow.html?_r=0
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:45 am:
“We weren’t finding the folks that, that uh, you know, that weren’t there.” — Bruce Rauner explaining why his 51-person investment firm had ZERO African-American employees.
– MrJM
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:46 am:
This is the single most important issue facing Chicago. Address this with a multi-pronged approach and a host of other benefits will follow, not least of which will be a decrease in the daily armed violence with which Chicago is synonymous.
We really need to bring together our best and brightest minds to propose workable solutions. Lip service and lectures are not working. This is the challenge of our generation.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:46 am:
Why are people surprised at this? What did people think would happen when you throw away a huge segment of our population. Very little funding and programming go towards these youth. There are no jobs for them. There are barely any private social services for them and NOW THOSE AGENCIES ARE GONE! You think it’s bad now. Give it a year and those numbers are one’s we’ll wish for. Rauner has just destroyed the final remaining pillars of hope with this chosen intentional crisis. It’s GONE Rich. We’ve already lost the battle. Thank God for St. Louis which covers a lot of the Metro East for services. So yeah, when my 1805’s march North to go door to door and living room to living room against Dunkin, all that needs to be done is point to the nearest shelter, rehab, food pantry, youth/community center CLOSED sign and say “Dunkin helped Rauner do this to you and your community”. Sure, things were bad and corrupt under Madigan. But very least we had a few remaining support organizations. RAUNER JUST DESTROYED THOSE!
- Cassandra - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:49 am:
I wonder how many young black men are unemployed because they have been involved with our racially biased criminal justice system here in Illnois. A system that claims to be plodding towards change, but, very, very slowly. And of course, if you are in jail, you aren’t working and probably aren’t in school either.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:56 am:
1.4% says that unemployment in low income areas can be solved by providing opportunities. So what has he done to provide opportunities for employment in these areas?
- Tone - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:58 am:
Hispanics and Whites in these age groups actually have higher employment levels than the national average. It’s only african americans in Illinois that are worse off. Which is why blacks are no longer the largest “race” in Chicago. The white, hispanic, and asian populations are all growing while african americans continue to flee the City and the state.
- Apocalypse - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:02 am:
Failed policies after decades of rule by one party in Chicago and 12 years of rule in Illinois by the same party. Tragic.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:04 am:
huh, the problems in these areas are really really complex and vast. A tremendous amount of money, effort, research, time, you name it must be applied to our thrownaway communities. Providing opportunities is much easier said than done. But everything/anything helps. We can’t keep ignoring it. I have a personal stake in it, but more need to do so much more. These are our fellow Illinoisans.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:10 am:
Honeybear - I thoroughly understand that there are very complex problems. What I was trying to point out was the governor’s simplistic solution to unemployment.
The shredding of the social safety net is going to contribute to more problems in needy communities.
- The Muse - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Thanks, Rich.
I don’t see those 2015 numbers looking any better given the mess of things.
- Wealth in my mind - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:16 am:
The smartest and blessed members of a community must help its own. Take all the black NFL, NBA, MLB, and ask them if they are helping by creating jobs in the AA community. Jim Brown, Ali and others did it in the 50’s so don’t say its not a fair question. Black politicians that are weak on gun crimes are part of the problem. Last of all where is the Chicago Black bankers? You know them! They get to manage Chicago pension money. How many business have they helped in the AA community? Bottom line the smartest and blessed must help their own. No mayor or leader or school system can save you. You must save yourself.
- Mama - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:17 am:
“The shredding of the social safety net is going to contribute to more problems in needy communities.” Those problem will carry over to the other communities when there is no safety net. The crime rate will go up.
- ChrisB - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:20 am:
But let’s raise the minimum wage and exacerbate the problem…
- Junior - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:21 am:
Apocalypse - I agree with your points about one party rule. Two points, though. First, imo the same thing would happen if that one party was the gop. Second, I believe some of it is on the people - no government has enough power to fully eliminate struggles.
How about some big box stores in the affected areas, so these kids can get something on the resume and learn how to work?
- Beaner - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Worst hamburger flipper recovery ever!
- UMAN - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:22 am:
In my view, this is very unfortunate. But, there is a phsycological component to excluding blacks (which goes way back) from job “opportunities”. Many in charged of hiring have bias and/or are skirting aroung hiring practices even favoring family & friends while displaying their ‘equal opportunity’ sign which requires them to only hire a “small percentage” of minorities. So, we wonder why in their idle time they land in jail. How do we expect them to survive - on HOPE? These numbers are not by happenstance. Rally confress to up the minimum mandated minority hiring requirements and watch these numbers and crime decline.
- Former Hoosier - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Those numbers are both staggering and heartbreaking. Piecemeal approaches never work. And, devaluing and underfunding services to address these issues has taken this state to the brink. I am not hopeful that any meaningful improvement will occur anytime soon.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:24 am:
===But let’s raise the minimum wage and exacerbate the problem…===
Yes I can see how people having more money to spend on goods and services would result in more problems…….
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:28 am:
“Bottom line the smartest and blessed must help their own.”
The smartest and blessed don’t define “their own” based on race.
Now back into your hole…
– MrJM
- ChrisB - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:28 am:
@Ducky
You’re assuming they have jobs in the first place. According to the report, that is obviously a faulty assumption.
- Pacman - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:32 am:
I agree this problem is complex, but the problem can be lessened by finding a way to keep these kids in school. It’s hard enough for a high school graduate to find employment let alone a high school dropout.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:34 am:
@MrJM
Sounds like somebody should give Rauner a binder full of black people.
- Jon - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:35 am:
====You must save yourself.===
This has to be the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard. The African American community in Chicago isn’t some small town hit by an isolated disaster where the town’s prominent citizens pitch in and help rebuild the town. Chicago and may African American communities throughout the nation are disasters beyond the scope of help by the few minorities that have managed to succeed in our racist nation.
The idea that minorities should help their “own kind” is one of the most racist concepts I’ve ever heard. Why should a Black professional athlete invest is money in the Black community? What qualification does he or she have when it comes to identifying where the money should be spent? Should they build 50 McDonalds so the kids can get jobs? If they do, what then? Bus in customers, because the neighborhood families can’t sustain a business.
Also why punish successful Black entrepreneurs? “Hey Black businessmen…you guys invest all your money in the poor communities, while we white guys over here are going to use our money to make more money. In fact maybe we’ll spend our money on electing a Republican who won’t fund social services because “you must save yourself”.”
The government, local, state, federal, whatever, has to serious respond to this. Whether it is designating certain areas “tax-free” zones, meaning no taxes on income derived from business, property taxes, sales taxes, etc. to help spur investment in these communities.
Although this always has a racial undertone, but is more likely true than not, these unemployed minorities are likely going to end up in the criminal justice system, and then as far as society is concerned, they are done.
- A Watcher - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:41 am:
The issue is tied to significant reduction of reasonable wage low skilled jobs for adults that have cannibalized the traditional teen jobs. Some of the adult job erosion is due to lack of skills and ability to adapt to the same. Is that to be a government provided program — good luck. Our biggest issue in hiring mid-range wage employees is not having a valid drivers license (not CDL). Most of us view a DL as a step in a kids life not an adult skill. That is the current you are fighting against. Some of that represents what we associety could do more and some of that represents personal initiative/responsibility.
- siriusly - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:42 am:
When I clicked on the link to the Mary Mitchell article I could not believe my eyes. The Sun Times loaded quickly and was easy to read! I have avoided the S-T for months, thankfully they have fixed that garbage.
This study results are their own are very shocking to me.
- Robert the 1st - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:44 am:
Raise minimum wage! Raise workers’ comp costs! Strengthen unions!
Say… has anyone ever questioned why IL has one of the lowest rates of state employees per capita? I know people here love bringing that up…
- Sue - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 11:53 am:
Di am curious if anyone has an explanation as to why these numbers are what they are. I understand black employment participation being below the rest of the population but why is black employment in Chicago off the charts as compared nationally?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:02 pm:
Robert. Now try including township, county and municipal employees and Illinois doesn’t look so good. Also doesn’t count state contracted employees that aren’t actual state employees.
- Patty T - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:02 pm:
I am thinking other places have better school/community programs. These kids need to have something like the arts or other activities in which to be engaged when they are young. Keep them off the streets but clearly funding at schools & community outreach (no fraud) isn’t happening so it seems it will just get worse.
- Formerpol - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:08 pm:
So why isn’t the black community all in support of every job-creation mechanism - many of which are part of the Turnaround Agenda? That constituency has been ill-served by Madiganistan. Rep. Dunkin is a hero in his District already.
- Anonymouth - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:11 pm:
=== Failed policies after decades of rule by one party in Chicago and 12 years of rule in Illinois by the same party. Tragic. ===
Please. This issue is much bigger than politics and political parties. What exactly would the Republican party done to address these issues? Honestly, before Rauner, I don’t even think that I even heard a Republican give lip service regarding these issues in the past 12 years.
The educational gap in minority communities is staggering. I’m not just talking about a gap in levels of higher education. I’m talking about basic education - things like having the ability to coherently read and write the English language. Without these skills, how is a person going to be able to perform jobs that provide for higher levels of pay. These issues cannot be fixed overnight. It is certainly not something that can be done without the buy in of EVERYONE in the State.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:17 pm:
==why is black employment in Chicago off the charts as compared nationally==
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/still-separate-unequal-and-ignored/Content?oid=16347785
- Federalist - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
Many comments. No real answers. I don’t have any either.
But one consider whether the people in this study have any skills that are needed by employers. Just being on planet Earth does not count. And if one can not accept this reality they are truly living in an alternative universe.
Again, any realistic solutions rather than just bloviating.
And yes it is bad for the individuals and bad for the nation.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
You are truly a pip Robert. Crack me up.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
So much for the empty symbolism of having black leadership at the Chicago Public Schools, the City Colleges of Chicago, and Chicago State University! Figureheads do not make for successful leaders and a few of these well paid administrators proved to be corrupt. They literally stole from the disenfranchised poor that they were supposed to help.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
” Why should a Black professional athlete invest is money in the Black community?”
State Senator Napolean Harris may not want to respond to this question.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
Federalist view of Illinois kids aged 16-19:
== consider whether the people in this study have any skills that are needed by employers. Just being on planet Earth does not count. ==
You kiss your mother with that mouth?
- Flynn's mom - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
Ken Dunkin what are you doing to help your constituents?
- Anonymouth - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
Bleedingheart - a little tidbit from that article you posted:
“Many landlords simply won’t accept housing vouchers, and the CHA often sends tenants back to the same segregated black neighborhoods to look for apartments, says J. Brian Malone, executive director of the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization. Such discrimination convinces people “that certain areas are off-limits,” he says.”
That same KOCO opposed the building of the Marianos at 31st and King Drive because it would be a draw for those looking to gentrify the neighborhood. You can’t have it both ways.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:48 pm:
KOCO’s position isn’t the inconsistent one, there, mouth.
- Anonymouth - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:00 pm:
I find that hard to believe.
- Federalist - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:00 pm:
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
Federalist view of Illinois kids aged 16-19:
== “consider whether the people in this study have any skills that are needed by employers. Just being on planet Earth does not count. ==
You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
Not that long ago Mr. Miller wrote about inappropriate language. Maybe you did not get the message. Wonder why he did not delete your comment - must not have noticed.
In any case you have disgraced yourself.
- Formerpol - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
Republican rule would at least have produced a better state economy and therefore more entry-level jobs for kids. And it is true that you must own skills that someone wants to pay for. My Mother taught me that the world does not owe me a living and I better study and work hard, or I would starve. Today, sadly, some people apparently believe that the world does owe you a living, just for breathing.
So we need job creation and enough school skills taught so that kids can offer something of value.
Tough love works better than incentive-sapping handouts. And whoever utters the ‘racist’ accusation on this topic loses the debate automatically!
- Federalist - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:10 pm:
“I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn’t there,” she says. “If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.”
Oprah Winfrey
http://www.newsweek.com/oprah-goes-school-98521
(see this reference for full context)
In reference to a $40 million dollars school she established in Africa.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
“state economy” did not create this problem. Why would it solve it? In any case, it has not, as the recovery has benefited white people but those benefits are as segregated as Chicago neighborhoods.
“Robbing black neighborhoods” caused the problem, Formerpol. How would “Republican Rule” have prevented that theft?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
The last Republican to head the Chicago Board of Education (briefly) was an “acting” president in the early Sixties following the resignation of Sargent Schriver. The only Republican to head the board of trustees for the City Colleges of Chicago was Ron Gidwitz.
After eighty plus years of control, let’s face it the Democrats own this problem. Cook County is the heaviest Democratic county in Illinois.
- Dudeman - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
Let’s increase the minimum wage. That will increase the number of employed, said no economist ever.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:00 pm:
http://www.ymcachicago.org/programs/teen-reach-program
“Help Save Teen REACH and CCAP at the YMCA
On April 3, the Illinois Department of Human Services unexpectedly suspended funds for Teen REACH programs across Illinois. Due to these cuts the Y has been forced to shut down its Teen REACH programs at the McCormick Tribune YMCA, Rauner Family YMCA and the Kelly Hall YMCA. In addition, the Governor’s office is also proposing additional cuts to Child Care Assistance Program and FACES programs in fiscal year 2016.”
***
Just paying enough to get your name on the building is not enough. But then again, “No social agenda…”
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:03 pm:
Christian Washington, 16, spoke to the importance of Teen Reach programs. Washington, now a North Lawndale College Prep freshman, said youth services at Kelly Hall YMCA in West Humboldt Park helped keep him off the streets and out of trouble.
“I had a safe place to go every day after school” and “lots of great role models to help me with my homework and school,” he said.
Before participating in the YMCA’s programs, Washington said he never considered going to college. He is now college bound and says he has at least four universities on his list of potential options after high school.
He said the reduction in teen programming at the YMCA is concerning.
“These streets are so bad and there are really no positive places for us to hang out and be safe like at the Y,” Washington said. “A lot of us don’t have Internet access at home to do our school homework and things like that. Now, we can no longer go to the YMCA five days a week. Life is hard for us. Please bring back Teen Reach and help save more kids like me.”
http://progressillinois.com/posts/content/2016/01/26/social-service-advocates-speak-out-ahead-rauners-state-state-address
- Carhartt Representative - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
=Let’s increase the minimum wage. That will increase the number of employed, said no economist ever.=
Reagan sure was a heck of a guy. I’m sure that trickle down will start any day now.
- DuPage - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
@Honeybear 10:46 =Thank God for St. Louis which covers a lot of the Metro East for services.=
How? Does St. Louis come across into Illinois to help the people Rauner has thrown under the bus?
Mighty nice of them.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:21 pm:
Carhartt Representative- The “trickle down” had a mighty yellow tinge to it.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:28 pm:
Formerpol,
Your comment implies that kids who aren’t working, don’t want to work, and instead want to rely solely on government programs which is patently false and, indeed, a bit racist. Very few people, including the young men discussed in the piece, would be opposed to better education, jobs training and job opportunities for these communities.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:35 pm:
==After eighty plus years of control, let’s face it the Democrats own this problem. Cook County is the heaviest Democratic county in Illinois.==
Sure, that’s why the black youth in Kankakee and Danville are so well-employed.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 2:36 pm:
==Republican rule would at least have produced a better state economy==
How in the heck do you know that? That’s just partisan blather.
==My Mother taught me that the world does not owe me a living and I better study and work hard, or I would starve. Today, sadly, some people apparently believe that the world does owe you a living, just for breathing.==
Are you suggesting they brought this on themselves? Because that’s what it sounds like.
==Tough love works better than incentive-sapping handouts.==
Tell us oh wise one what that “tough love” is and how that helps the situation being described here?
Man, you really are a piece of work.
- Dudeman - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
=Reagan sure was a heck of a guy. I’m sure that trickle down will start any day now.=
Carhartt Representative: I pretty sure Reagan was not a Keynsian. But Keynsian theory supports that minimum wage causes unemeployment, at the least in a recession.
Wage rigidity creates unemployment, at least in recessions, as it means that wages do not react quickly enough to shocks to the economy. And what is a minimum wage other than legally mandated nominal wage rigidity? So, therefore, if you believe in the money illusion story, in sticky prices and nominal wage rigidity, all things you pretty much do have to believe in order to be a Keynesian, then you should also be believing that the minimum wage will, at least in a recession, cause unemployment.
But what do I know about economics?
- Honeybear - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
-Tough love works better than incentive-sapping handouts.-
I truly wish people could come sit next to me for just a day. It would change your life.
- CapnCrunch - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 3:56 pm:
“My Mother taught me that the world does not owe me a living and I better study and work hard, or I would starve……..Tough love works better than incentive-sapping handouts.”
My Mother(and Father) also taught me the same truth although starvation was not the feared outcome. It was more about a lifetime in low paying jobs. But then, you and I were blessed with caring parents. Many of the kids we are talking about weren’t so lucky. I’m sort of with you on the ‘tough love ‘ bit but how about an incentive program with a big payoff? Instead of what we are doing now, why not offer any girl from a low income family who graduates from high school who is not pregnant nor a mother a full scholarship to any Illinois public university of her choice? She would receive an additional one year scholarship at the end of each year she completed and meets the original requirements until she graduates. The university she chooses would be asked to help defray the cost the way the UI supplements MAP recipients and the State would pay the rest. This program would be made known to kids in elementary school so they would in know in advance that an escape route is available. It won’t be cheap, maybe a $100 grand a girl, but wouldn’t the long term payoff be worth it?
- Cassandra - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 5:33 pm:
Maybe they should move to Iowa. I’m not kidding. Very low unemployment rate.
Or move to Glencoe. There is considerable evidence that young people are affected by growing up in a more affluent environment. I heard Julian Castro (could be our next VP soon)
talk about a Texas program whereby those families receiving subsidies received more for moving into more affluent neighborhoods, less if they didn’t.
Hmmm.
- Ultragreen - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 6:16 pm:
The criminal justice system is partly responsible for the high rate of teen unemployment, particularly for blacks and Hispanics. It is more difficult for young people with criminal records to find jobs because of discrimination from employers. Employers are more likely to conduct background checks than in the past. The high unemployment rate among young people is one of the unexpected consequences of the “war against crime.”
- cannon649 - Thursday, Jan 28, 16 @ 10:23 pm:
Very sad with no solution in sight.
Throwing money at is not the solution with a true leader and a real plan.
I wish a leader could step up and least start reversing the stats. Hard to believe the NY and LA and better than Chicago at anything.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 7:06 am:
Ultragreen at 6:16: I hope you’re not equating an employer looking at factual evidence as to why one applicant may be a better employee than another (a criminal record), to an employee basing a hiring decision based on an unfair and illegal standard (the color of one’s skin). Because while the latter is truly “bad” discrimination, the former is merely being a good steward of one’s business. Not all discrimination is a bad thing, it’s what kept you from eating green bologne for dinner last night. A marijuana bust when you’re a kid should not preclude you from working in a grocery store, but maybe having robbed three grocery stores last year should. Behavior has consequences, be it not instilling a positive culture in one’s children, or deciding a revolver is the best way to settle an argument. Until you figure out a way to fix the culture in many neighborhoods, your ability to help that neighborhood is greatly limited. The long-ago decision to disallow welfare benefits if the father lived in the home, did more to lead to the dissolution of the black family than just about anything else - unintended consequences are still consequences.