Number of Uninsured Illinoisans Rises

The number of uninsured Illinoisans increased by 2% to nearly 1.8 million in 2005, according to a new report by the Gilead Outreach and Referral Center. The report, "The Face of the Uninsured: A Detailed Description of Illinois' Uninsured," also found that nearly 60% of Illinois' uninsured population is employed.

Other key findings include:

26% of the uninsured population is 19 to 29 years of age -- the fastest growing uninsured segment in Illinois;
By ethnicity, the highest percentage of uninsured individuals were Hispanic at 30%, followed by African Americans at 26% and Whites at 12%;
26% of the total population of Chicago is without health insurance, more than 550,000 people.

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Illinois Hospital Association

New Study: Number of Uninsured Illinoisans Rises