SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Illinois saw an uptick in personal income last year as historic levels of federal aid, enhanced unemployment benefits and public assistance drove the sharpest annual growth in 20 years.
An
analysis by Pew Charitable Trusts showed personal income in Illinois grew by 2.9%, but it would have declined if not for the federal assistance.
Nationally, the sum of residents’ personal income from all sources rose by 4.9% in 2020, the largest annual increase since 2000, after adjusting for inflation.
“Total government assistance was up 35% nationally from 2019 and that represents the largest gain since the 1940s,” said Mike Maciag, an officer with Pew Charitable Trusts.