Nearly15 percent of Illinois residents lived below the federal poverty line in 2012, according to the report released by Chicago-based Social Impact Research Center.
This statistic was about the same in the year 1960.
Researchers say almost 21 percent of Illinois children live in poverty.
The report was released after Gov. Pat Quinn asked lawmakers to raise the state's minimum wage to $10 per hour.
''If we follow this blueprint, we'll do three things, create more jobs, deliver stronger education, and build an economy that works for everyone,'' Quinn said.
The governor also asked lawmakers to double a tax credit that helps low-income workers keep more of their earnings.
