Earned Income Tax Credit Benefits Residents of Rural Illinois

(Undated) -- A tax credit helping many lower-income working families keep more of their earnings is proving to be especially important in rural areas and small towns across Illinois and the country, according to new research. The Earned Income Tax Credit has been touted as one of the most effective anti-poverty policy efforts and a nationwide analysis by Jon Bailey at the Center for Rural Affairs found The Earned Income Tax Credit was used by more people in rural and small-town, small-city areas than in big urban areas in the country. Bailey says the higher use of the tax credit tracks right along with the other economic indicators that point to many rural families still struggling financially.