Illinois ranks near bottom in social mobility

(The Center Square) – With Illinois now ranking among the hardest states for residents to improve their economic and social status, Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste insists he’s focused on making sure more of them are being afforded their best chance for upliftment.

“Only growing our state with new jobs, new opportunity and more people is going to help,

Ugaste told The Center Square. “Those who are in dire economic straits, giving them a handout, more SNAP benefits or putting them on Medicaid isn’t a help. That’s a safety net to help them get over a hump. We have to have good paying jobs with good benefits.”

With Archbridge Institute researchers defining social mobility as “the ability to better oneself and those around them,” based on such factors as institutions and rule of law, entrepreneurship and growth, education and skills development and social capital, Illinois now ranks 38th across the country, including behind at least five other midwestern states that were all ranked in the top quarter.

Data also points...