Surveyed adults in Illinois struggled to pay multiple debts

POWER-PAC Illinois parents surveyed 304 low-income individuals about their household finances, debts and experiences managing money. Two-thirds of respondents have at least one current debt. Many said their debts made them unable to pay all their bills, plan for loan payments or save for future expenses. Respondents from East St. Louis said housing authority fees pushed them further into debt.

The majority of respondents with debt reported they owed debts of multiple types, from student loans to credit cards, car payments and past-due tickets.