Study shows the number of Illinois teens out of school, work is still too high

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new study suggests that despite some efforts, the number of young people out of school and out of work in Illinois is still way too high.

The study by UIC's Great Cities Institute shows that there are some 163,000 young people not going to school or working.

Jack Wuest, executive director of the Alternative Schools Network, says the problems are most pronounced on Chicago’s South and West Sides.

“In the city alone, 16 to 24-year-olds, there's over 25,000 youth and young adults who are out of school and jobless; and they are not moving forward with their lives. It's a dangerous situation.”

He says kids with nothing to do can get involved in unrest and gangs. He's calling for Gov. J.B .Pritzker and the legislature to commit $300 million to more youth jobs.

“We're hoping that the legislature and the Governor can come up with the money necessary to provide them the jobs this summer and some jobs, you know, simple jobs during the school year,” Wuest said.

Studies show those kids with jobs are much less likely to get into trouble.

The study by UIC shows that young people in Illinois overall experience unemployment more than the national average.

Wuest notes Black and Latino youth suffer more.

“It's a dangerous situation when you have so many people out of school and out of work and just jobless on the streets. Things can become quite explosive.”

He applauds Mayor Johnson's efforts providing summer jobs.

“The mayor's done a great job so far with the One Summer Chicago that's employing 24,000 young people. We're lucky, we have 1300 slots for the young people who come back to our small schools who are on the streets and now are re-enrolled to get their diploma.

“There needs to be a lot more and I think the mayor's budget is pretty strapped.”

However, he says more are needed. So, his group is calling on Governor Pritzker to invest 300-million-dollars more for youth jobs.

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