Heartland Alliance Midwest Human Rights Assessment Dec2005

• Topics: Control Units/SHU/Solitary Confinement

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Human Rights in the Heartland

an assessment of social, economic, civil, and political rights in the Midwest

December 2005

About the Publisher
Founded in 1888, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights is a service-based
human rights organization protecting the human rights of the most poor and vulnerable in society.
Through affordable housing, quality health care, and a continuum of human services that moves
people from crisis to stability and success, Heartland Alliance strives to help the Midwest realize
human rights for all.
About the Funder
The Libra Foundation recognizes the power of human rights to transform societies and is
committed to enhancing the human rights movement and broadening it to include U.S. social
justice work. The Foundation supports innovative and effective work that emphasizes strategies
that incorporate the interconnections between issues and lead to real social change.
A Special Thank You
To Mark Wojcik, Director of Global Legal Studies at the John Marshall Law School and
David Austin of Jenner & Block for their pro bono legal review of the data within the
Freedom to Realize Human Rights index.
Research
Mid-America Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance — Amy Rynell, Curtis Jones
Editorial Team
Bonnifer Ballard, Curtis Jones, Mary Meg McCarthy, Sid Mohn, Amy Rynell, Sarah Rose Weinman,
Paulette Yousefzadeh
Design
Graphix Products, Inc.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Summary

Freedom Index Explained

Human Rights Overview of the Midwest
Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Human Rights State by State

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Ohio

Wisconsin

Note on Civil Detention

Data Tables

Human Rights in the Heartland

Introduction

Human rights — there is no more universal

The analysis is titled a freedom index because

cord that binds our globe together. Since its

human rights is the bedrock of freedom. The

adoption on December 10, 1948, the Universal

opening lines of the UDHR state that “recognition

Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has served

of…the rights of all members of the human family

as a cornerstone of global commitments to the

is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in

well-being and liberty of individuals, families,

the world.”

communities, and nations. Human rights is the
infrastructure essential for a world of freedom

Four human rights standards comprise the

and justice.

freedom index.
• Freedom from Extreme Poverty is an expression

The human rights outlined in the 30 articles of the
UDHR are typically categorized as civil, political,
social, economic, and cultural. Significant

of the right to adequate living standards;
• Freedom from Discrimination is an expression
of the right to be free from discrimination;

commitments have been made — and are being

• Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading

made — to realize civil and political rights, but

Treatment is an expression of the right to

the U.S., along with many other nations, is behind

be free from cruel, inhuman, and degrading

in terms of achieving social, economic, and

treatment; and
• Freedom to Realize Human Rights is an

cultural rights.

expression of the right to human rights
This report, Human Rights in the Heartland,

protections.

measures human rights progress in the heart
of the United States. In this compilation, eight

As a leader in the free world, the U.S. must

Midwestern states are evaluated on a freedom

consider how well it meets its human rights

index, providing a comparative snapshot of

obligations. This report on human rights is an

local commitments to civil, political, social, and

endeavor to ground our country in the bedrock of

economic rights.

human rights and to assess our progress as truly
being a land of the free. •

Human Rights in the Heartland

Introduction

Summary

Historically, the U.S. has been a beacon of hope

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or

for those seeking safety and opportunity, but our

Degrading Treatment

nation falls short of its potential in assuring a full

The use of Supermax prisons and the death

complement of human rights — civil, political,

penalty are cruel, inhuman, and sometimes

social, economic, and cultural.

torturous. Each state’s legislative body
should identify more humane and effective

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

incarceration and rehabilitation models.

In the Midwest, states continue to
struggle with poverty and hunger. Millions

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

are living on less than $25 per day, many

Each of the eight Midwestern states

going to bed hungry. States should develop

included in this report has some type of human

comprehensive anti-poverty policies initially

rights monitoring body. All eight have laws that

targeted to those living in extreme poverty.

address the right to non-discrimination. But

Such efforts would ensure that state residents

expanded laws are needed to ensure a broader

have the opportunity to realize an adequate

base of human rights compliance. There are

standard of living.

promising new initiatives. For example, a
Wisconsin legislator has introduced right-to-

Freedom from Discrimination

housing legislation. And Illinois now has a

While improvements have been made

law that promises each child access to health

over the past several decades, gender and racial

insurance, a further step toward ensuring a

disparities continue. Women and blacks must

child’s right to health care.

work more hours each week to achieve the
same standard of living as their white, male

Human rights are inalienable from the freedoms

counterparts. State entities designed to prevent

upon which the U.S. was founded. The U.S.

discrimination should propose new strategies

cannot realize its true potential as a human

that more effectively help all workers realize

rights leader while violations are happening

wage equality.

within our borders. Change can start now. The
Midwest has the opportunity to use this report
as a starting point to ensure human rights for all
Midwesterners. •

Summary

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom Index Explained

The Freedom Index provides a way to measure

how well different states in the Midwest are

served as the score from which grades were derived.

protecting human rights. Each state was assigned a

Grades were based on a 5-point grading scale.

letter grade for each freedom based on the degree

A = $0.90 to $1

to which each human right is being realized.

B = $0.80 to $0.89

C = $0.70 to $0.79

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

D = $0.60 to $0.69

was measured by averaging grades

F = less than $0.60

The average number of cents per dollar earned

on rates of deep poverty (percent of

households living at or below 50%

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman,

of the federal poverty line) as well as rates of food

or Degrading Treatment was

insecurity (individuals lacking adequate food).

measured by averaging grades on

Although any number of people living in deep

the existence of Supermax prisons

poverty or going hungry is unacceptable, states

and the death penalty.

were graded based on what may be considered a

In Supermax prisons, inmates are kept in their

currently achievable rate of reducing people in

cells for 22 to 23 hours a day. They are provided

deep poverty or experiencing hunger.

one hour of “recreation” five days per week, which

entails being allowed to stand outside alone in an

Grades were given as follows:

A = less than 2%

enclosed yard. They are also given a shower a few

B = 2.0% to 2.9%

times per week, while locked in a steel cage. In the

C = 3.0% to 3.9%

rare circumstance where inmates are permitted out

D = 4.0% to 4.9%

of their cells, they are shackled and escorted by

F = 5% or more

two security guards.

While in their rooms, which are the size of

Freedom from Discrimination was

a walk-in closet, inmates sleep on a cement bed

measured by averaging grades on

and cannot turn off their light at night. Typically,

income inequality between genders

inmates spend several years in total isolation in

and racial groups, specifically the

these facilities.

differences between wage and salary earnings of

People detained in these facilities are

male and female full-time, year-round workers as

negatively affected by the prolonged isolation and

well as white and black* workers.

often develop psychiatric disorders. There is no

* The term black is used throughout this report to accurately reflect the relevant data as reported.

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom Index Explained

opportunity for any programming to prepare

compliance with these laws, such as human

inmates for release, leaving many unable to

or civil rights commissions, departments or

readjust to normal life once their sentences are

bureaus. States were given a C if they only had

served.

one or the other, and an F if they do not have

either. It is important to note that many local

Although long-term segregation may be

necessary for a small number of inmates, the use

jurisdictions within these states have adopted

of the Supermax prison model is neither necessary

local enforcement mechanisms. However, these

nor acceptable.

were not included in this analysis.

States were graded based on the existence of

The depth of formal protections was measured

a Supermax Prison or Control Unit (a unit within

by the number of groups covered by the state laws.

an existing prison that is run like a Supermax) and

Protections for 14 groups were considered for this

the number of inmates in these environments.

analysis: race, color, religion or creed, national

A = no Supermax or Control Unit

origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, citizenship

B = less than 25 inmates

status, sexual orientation, marital status, familial

C = 25 to 50 inmates

status, military status, criminal justice experience,

D = 51 to 100 inmates

and source of income. Grades were based on a

F = more than 100 inmates

5-point grading scale, derived from the number of

States that have abolished the death penalty

groups covered in each state divided by the total

received an A. States with a moratorium on the

number of possible groups.

death penalty received a C. States that have not

A = 90 to 100

abolished the death penalty received an F.

B = 80 to 89

C = 70 to 79

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

D = 60 to 69

was measured by state-level human

F = less than 60 •

rights protections, averaging grades
on formal mechanisms and the
depth of protection those mechanisms offer.

States were given an A if they have formal

protection mechanisms, as measured by the
existence of state Human or Civil Rights acts
and the existence of a formal entity to monitor

Freedom Index Explained

Note: Rankings throughout this report are based on the
number scores not letter grades. See Data Tables beginning
on page 19 for details.

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Adequate Living — UDHR Article 25
Everyone has the
right to a standard of
living adequate for
the health and wellbeing of [themselves]
and [their] family,

Minnesota

including food,

clothing, housing,
and medical care

Wisconsin

C-

and necessary social
services, and the
right to security
in the event of

Michigan

Iowa

unemployment,

sickness, disability,
widowhood, old

Illinois

age, or other lack

D+

of livelihood in
circumstances

Indiana

C-

Ohio

D+

Missouri

beyond [their]

C-

control...

Highest: Minnesota
Lowest: Michigan

Human Rights in the Heartland

Human Rights — Midwest

Freedom from Discrimination

Equal Opportunity — UDHR Article 23
Everyone, without
any discrimination,
has the right to equal
pay for equal work...

Minnesota

C-

Wisconsin

C-

Michigan

D+

Iowa

C-

Illinois

C-

Indiana

C-

Ohio

Missouri

Highest: Missouri and Ohio
Lowest: Michigan

Human Rights — Midwest

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman,
or Degrading Treatment
Proper Treatment — UDHR Article 5
No one shall be
subjected to torture
or to cruel, inhuman
or degrading
treatment or
punishment.

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Michigan

Iowa

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

Missouri

Highest: Iowa and Michigan
Lowest: Indiana

Human Rights in the Heartland

Human Rights — Midwest

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Human Rights Assured — UDHR Article 28
Everyone is entitled
to a social and
international order
in which the rights
and freedoms
set forth in this
Declaration can be
fully realized.

Minnesota

B+

Wisconsin

Michigan

Iowa

B-

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

B-

Missouri

C+

Highest: Illinois and Wisconsin
Lowest: Indiana

Human Rights — Midwest

Human Rights in the Heartland

Illinois

Overall Grade:

Rank in the Midwest*:
th

tied for

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

D+

Rank:

7th out of 8

C-

Rank:

6th out of 8

5.8% of people in Illinois

A black

are living in deep poverty.

worker in

2.5% of Illinois households
experience hunger.

A woman in

Illinois earns

$0.70

$0.69

for every $1

a white

a man earns.

worker earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

6th

Have a Supermax Prison?

Yes

271

1st

Acts protecting rights
Illinois Civil Rights Act (730 ILCS 23/)

Entity to monitor compliance
State Department of Human Rights

Use the Death Penalty?

though a moratorium was issued
by former Governor Ryan in 2000

# on death row:

10
10

Rank: tied for

Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/)

# in Supermax Prison:

Yes

Human Rights in the Heartland

Illinois Human Rights Commission
Illinois Civil Rights Bureau

# of groups covered: 13 out of 14
Not covered: source of income

Human Rights — Illinois

Indiana

D+

Overall Grade:

Rank in the Midwest*:
th

out of

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

C-

Rank:

4th out of 8

C-

Rank:

5th out of 8

4.3% of people in Indiana

A black

are living in deep poverty.

4.4% of Indiana households

worker in
A woman in

Indiana earns

$0.75

experience hunger.

$0.67

for every $1

a white

a man earns.

worker earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank:

8th out of 8

Have a Supermax Prison?

Yes

# in Supermax Prison:

327

Use the Death Penalty?

Yes

# on death row:

Human Rights — Indiana

Rank:

8th out of 8

Acts protecting rights
Indiana Civil Rights Code (IC 22-9)

Entity to monitor compliance
Indiana Civil Rights Commission

# of groups covered: 7 out of 14
Not covered: citizenship status, sexual
orientation, marital status, familial
status, military status, criminal justice
experiences, and source of income

Human Rights in the Heartland

Iowa

B-

Overall Grade:

Rank in the Midwest*:
st

out of

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

Rank:

2nd out of 8

C-

Rank:

4th out of 8

3.7% of people in Iowa

A black

are living in deep poverty.

worker in

3.0% of Iowa households
experience hunger.

A woman in

Iowa earns

$0.71

$0.72

for every $1

a white

a man earns.

worker earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

1st

Have a Supermax Prison?

n/a

5th

Acts protecting rights
(Iowa Code Chapter 216)

Entity to monitor compliance
Iowa Department of Human Rights

Use the Death Penalty?

Iowa Civil Rights Commission

# of groups covered: 9 out of 14

# on death row:

n/a

Human Rights in the Heartland

Rank: tied for
Iowa Civil Rights Act

# in Supermax Prison:

B-

Not covered: citizenship status, sexual
orientation, military status, criminal
justice experience, and source of income

Human Rights — Iowa

Michigan

Overall Grade:

B-

Rank in the Midwest*:
nd

out of

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

Rank:

8th out of 8

D+

Rank:

8th out of 8

5.5% of people in Michigan

A black

are living in deep poverty.

3.4% of Michigan

worker in
A woman in

Michigan earns

$0.74

households experience hunger.

$0.64

for every $1

a white worker

a man earns.

earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

1st

Have a Supermax Prison?

# in Supermax Prison:

n/a

Use the Death Penalty?

# on death row:

n/a

Human Rights — Michigan

Rank:

4th out of 8

Acts protecting rights
Civil Rights Act (Chapter 37)

Entity to monitor compliance
Michigan Department of Civil Rights
Michigan Civil Rights Commission

# of groups covered: 10 out of 14
Not covered: citizenship status, sexual
orientation, military status, and source of
income

Human Rights in the Heartland

Minnesota

Overall Grade:

B-

Rank in the Midwest*:
rd

tied for

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

Rank:

1st out of 8

C-

Rank:

6th out of 8

3.2% of people in Minnesota

A black worker

are living in deep poverty.

2.2% of Minnesota

in Minnesota
A woman in

earns

Minnesota earns

$0.74

households experience hunger.

$0.66

for every $1

a white worker

a man earns.

earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

3rd

Have a Supermax Prison?

Yes

B+

Rank:

3rd out of 8

Acts protecting rights
Minnesota Human Rights Act

# in Supermax Prison:

(Minnesota Statute Chapter 36)

415

Entity to monitor compliance

Use the Death Penalty?

# of groups covered: 11 out of 14

Minnesota Department of Human Rights

Not covered: citizenship status, military

# on death row:

status, and criminal justice experience

n/a
14

Human Rights in the Heartland

Human Rights — Minnesota

Missouri

Overall Grade:

Rank in the Midwest*:
th

tied for

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

C-

Rank:

5th out of 8

Rank: tied for

4.3% of people in Missouri

A black worker

are living in deep poverty.

3.6% of Missouri households

in Missouri
A woman in

earns

Missouri earns

$0.77

experience hunger.

$0.70

for every $1

a white worker

a man earns.

earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

3rd

Have a Supermax Prison?

# in Supermax Prison:

1st

C+

Rank:

7th out of 8

Acts protecting rights
Missouri Human Rights Act (Missouri
Revised Statutes Chapter 213)

n/a

Entity to monitor compliance

Use the Death Penalty?

# of groups covered: 8 out of 14

Yes

# on death row:

Human Rights — Missouri

Missouri Commission on Human Rights

Not covered: citizenship status, sexual
orientation, marital status, military
status, criminal justice experience, and
source of income

Human Rights in the Heartland

Ohio

C-

Overall Grade:

Rank in the Midwest*:
th

out of

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

D+

Rank:

6th out of 8

Rank: tied for

1st

4.6% of people in Ohio

A black

are living in deep poverty.

worker in

3.6% of Ohio households
experience hunger.

A woman in

Ohio earns

$0.78

$0.69

for every $1

a white

a man earns.

worker earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

6th

Have a Supermax Prison?

Yes

B-

Rank: tied for

5th

Acts protecting rights
Ohio Civil Rights Laws (Chapter 4112)

# in Supermax Prison:

Use the Death Penalty?

Yes

Entity to monitor compliance
Ohio Civil Rights Commission

# of groups covered: 9 out of 14
Not covered: citizenship status, sexual
orientation, military status, criminal

# on death row:

justice experience, and source of income

196
16

Human Rights in the Heartland

Human Rights — Ohio

Wisconsin

Overall Grade:

C+

Rank in the Midwest*:
rd

tied for

* See note on page 5.

Freedom from Extreme Poverty

Freedom from Discrimination

Grade:

C-

Rank:

3rd out of 8

C-

Rank:

3rd out of 8

4.3% of people in Wisconsin

A black worker

are living in deep poverty.

3.2% of Wisconsin

in Wisconsin
A woman in

earns

Wisconsin earns

$0.79

households experience hunger.

$0.67

for every $1

a white worker

a man earns.

earns.

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize Human Rights

Grade:

Rank: tied for

3rd

Have a Supermax Prison?

Yes

# in Supermax Prison:

377

Use the Death Penalty?

# on death row:

n/a

Human Rights — Wisconsin

Rank: tied for

1st

Acts protecting rights
Wisconsin Civil Rights Laws (Wisconsin
Statutes Sections 111.31-111.395; 106.5;
106.52; 106.56)

Entity to monitor compliance
Wisconsin Equal Rights Division,
Civil Rights Bureau

# of groups covered: 13 out of 14
Not covered: citizenship status

Human Rights in the Heartland

Note on Civil Detention

In addition to the analysis reported here, this report

• Access to physical exercise; and

also sought to examine the conditions of immigrants

• Transfer of detainee’s medical records when

and asylum seekers detained by the Department of

detainee is moved from facility to facility.

Homeland Security (DHS) on immigration charges.
Each year, DHS holds more than 230,000 immigrants

These ICE-prescribed Standards are critical to

across the country in civil detention. In the Midwest,

ensuring detainees’ access to counsel, access to legal

DHS contracts with local county jails to hold

information, and physical and mental health during

immigrants. In Illinois and Wisconsin alone, DHS holds

their time in custody.

more than 500 detainees on any given day in contracted
county jails.

Only seven of the 23 jails responded to the detention
conditions survey. Therefore, insufficient infomation is

Because they are in civil custody, immigrant detainees

available to report on compliance to the Standards.

face a different reality than most inmates in criminal
custody. Unlike criminal detainees, civil detainees

This lack of information raises serious concerns. It

lack a guaranteed right to counsel and have far fewer

points to inadequate transparency in the county jails

protections. Although the Immigration and Customs

regarding the conditions under which immigrants are

Enforcement (ICE), a branch of DHS, has issued a set

detained. Without this information, it is not possible

of standards governing the treatment of civil detainees,

to evaluate compliance with the basic safety and due

these standards are not legally binding.

process rights of vulnerable immigrants and asylum
seekers.

As part of assessing human rights in the Midwest,
an attempt was made to examine compliance with

Heartland Alliance urges transparency and

ICE Detention Standards in county jails throughout

accountability in protecting the rights of individuals

the greater Midwest region via surveys of the facility

in ICE contracted detention facilities. •

administrators. The survey sought to ascertain
compliance with four ICE Standards:
• Access to a telephone;
• Access to a law library;

Human Rights in the Heartland

Note on Civil Detention

Data Tables

Table 1:

Midwest State Scores on Each Freedom
State

Freedom from
Extreme Poverty

Freedom from
Discrimination

Illinois

D+

C-

Indiana

C-

D+

Iowa

C-

B-

Michigan

D+

B-

Minnesota

C-

B+

B-

Missouri

C-

C+

Ohio

D+

B-

C-

Wisconsin

C-

C+

Data Tables

Freedom from
Cruel, Inhuman, or
Degrading Treatment

Freedom to Realize
Human Rights

Overall Grade

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom from Extreme Poverty Tables
Table 2: Deep Poverty in the Midwest
State

Deep Poverty Rate
2001-2003

Persons in
Deep Poverty
2001-2003

Deep Poverty Rate
2002-2004

Persons in
Deep Poverty
2002-2004

Change

2004
Grade

Illinois

5.3%

663,593

5.8%

722,123

+8.1%

Indiana

3.8%

228,625

4.3%

262,787

+14.4%

F
D+

Iowa

3.0%

87,621

3.7%

107,917

+22.4%

C-

Michigan

4.8%

478,635

5.5%

548,925

+14.5%

Minnesota

3.1%

152,581

3.2%

160,575

+3.6%

C+

Missouri

4.5%

252,026

4.3%

239,275

-5.7%

D+

Ohio

4.5%

505,565

4.6%

512,283

+1.1%

Wisconsin

3.8%

207,136

4.3%

235,923

+12.8%

5.3%

15,264,000

5.4%

15,637,000

D+

• In 2004, 15,637,000 people were living in deep poverty nationally. That is 5.4% of the total population.
• Illinois continues to have the most people living in deep poverty in the Midwest and the highest deep poverty rate.
• Iowa experienced the highest increase in deep poverty from 2003 to 2004, an increase of 22%.
2

Table 3: Food Insecure Households with Hunger
State

2000-2002
Food Insecurity
(with hunger)

2001-2003
Food Insecurity
(with hunger)

Change

Grade

Illinois

2.7%

2.5%

-7.4%

Indiana

2.8%

3.4%

+21.4%

Iowa

2.8%

3.0%

+7.1%

Michigan

3.0%

3.4%

+13.3%

Minnesota

2.2%

no change

Missouri

3.3%

3.6%

+9.1%

Ohio

3.3%

3.6%

+9.1%

Wisconsin

3.3%

3.2%

-3%

C+

3.3%

3.4%

+3%

• Nationally, 3.4% of all households went hungry in 2003
as a result of not having enough money to buy food.
• In the Midwest, Missouri and Ohio have the highest
percentage (3.6%) of households that could not afford to
buy food.
• Indiana experienced the largest increase in the number of
households without enough food with an increase of 21%
from 2002.

C+
C
B+

Table 4: Overall Freedom from Extreme Poverty Grade
State

Combination
of deep poverty
and hunger

Overall Extreme
Poverty Grade

Illinois

4.13

D+

Indiana

3.85

C-

• Minnesota had the smallest percentage of households
without enough food at 2.2%.

Iowa

3.35

Michigan

4.47

• All but two states saw an increase in the number of
households without enough food.

Minnesota

2.68

Missouri

3.94

C-

Ohio

4.08

D+

Wisconsin

3.77

C-

Deep poverty rates for states were calculated using data from the 2001-2004 U.S. Census
Current Population Survey March Supplement public use files.
2
Food insecurity data were obtained from the Household Food Security in the United
States, 2003 and 2002 reports that used information from the U.S. Census Current
Population Survey Food Supplement.
1

Human Rights in the Heartland

Data Tables

Freedom from Discrimination Tables
3

Table 5: Wage and Salary Earning Differences between Men and Women full-time, year-round workers in the Midwest
2001-2003

2002-2004

State

Men

Women

Difference

Amount
per dollar
earned by
women

Men

Women

Difference

Amount
per dollar
earned by
women

Illinois

$53,085

$36,703

$16,382

0.69

$54,288

$37,294

$17,245

0.69

Indiana

$50,250

$34,420

$15,830

0.68

$50,452

$33,909

$16,376

Iowa

$44,303

$31,983

$12,321

0.72

$45,601

$32,683

$13,128

Michigan

$57,242

$36,145

$21,097

0.63

$56,398

$36,288

$20,483

Minnesota

$56,404

$37,041

$19,364

0.66

$59,004

$38,745

$20,713

Missouri

$48,302

$34,217

$14,085

0.71

$51,376

$35,896

Ohio

$51,991

$34,908

$17,083

0.67

$51,614

Wisconsin

$49,860

$33,073

$16,787

0.66

$50,276

$53,085

$36,703

$16,382

0.69

$54,020

Change

2004
Grade

none

D+

0.67

-.01

D+

0.72

none

C-

0.64

+.01

0.66

none

$15,871

0.70

-.01

C-

$35,508

$16,601

0.69

+.02

D+

$33,735

$16,091

0.67

+.01

D+

$37,825

$16,195

0.70

+.01

C-

• Nationally, in 2004 men earned an average of $54,020 and women earned an average of $37,825.
• Nationally, in 2004 women earned an average of $0.70 for every $1 men earned.
• In the Midwest, Michigan had the worst ratio of money paid to full-time working women compared to men.
Women made only $0.64 to every $1 men made. Iowa had the best ratio at $0.72.
• Ohio showed the largest decrease in disparity from 2003 to 2004, going from $0.67 to $0.69 earned by women
for every $1 earned by men.
5

Table 6: Wage and Salary Earning Differences between White and Black full-time, year-round workers in the Midwest
2001-2003

2002-2004

State

White

Black

Difference

Amount
per dollar
earned by
Black

White

Black

Difference

Amount
per dollar
earned by
Black

Illinois

$47,332

$33,649

$13,683

0.71

$48,732

$34,112

$14,620

0.70

-.01

C-

Indiana

$42,820

$33,480

$ 9,340

0.78

$43,731

$32,840

$10,891

0.75

-.03

Iowa

$38,512

$28,220

$10,292

0.73

$40,108

$28,327

$11,781

0.71

-.02

C-

Michigan

$49,016

$35,616

$13,399

0.73

$49,204

$36,417

$12,787

0.74

+.01

Minnesota

$48,660

$32,384

$16,276

0.67

$51,613

$38,260

$13,353

0.74

+.07

Missouri

$42,027

$34,495

$ 7,532

0.82

$45,585

$35,228

$10,357

0.77

-.05

C+

Ohio

$45,614

$35,014

$10,600

0.77

$45,796

$35,930

$ 9,866

0.78

+.01

C+

Wisconsin

$43,152

$33,879

$ 9,274

0.79

$43,490

$34,150

$ 9,340

0.79

none

C+

$46,184

$34,582

$11,602

0.75

$48,784

$35,560

$13,224

0.73

-.02

• Nationally, in 2004 the average full-time, year-round white
worker earned $48,784, while the average black worker earned
only $35,560.

• Minnesota saw the most improvement with a $0.07 decrease in
wage and salary disparity between white and black workers.
Wage numbers for states were calculated from the 2001-2004 U.S. Census Current
Population Survey March Supplement public use files.
4
Wage numbers for the United States are not 3-year averages. They are based on the 2003 and
2004 Current Population Survey March Supplements.
5
Wage numbers for states were calculated from the 2001-2004 U.S. Census Current Population
Survey March Supplement public use files.
3

Data Tables

2004
Grade

Table 7: Overall Freedom from Discrimination Grade
State

• Nationally, in 2004 black workers earned $0.73 for every $1
white workers earned.
• In the Midwest, Illinois had the most disparity for the amount
of money black workers made compared to white workers.
Black workers in Illinois made only $0.70 to every $1 white
workers made.

Change

Average of
Gender and Racial
Discrimination

Overall
Discrimination
Grade

Illinois

0.70

C-

Indiana

0.71

C-

Iowa

0.72

C-

Michigan

0.69

D+

Minnesota

0.70

C-

Missouri

0.74

Ohio

0.74

Wisconsin

0.73

C-

Human Rights in the Heartland

Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment
6

Table 8: Supermax Prisons in the Midwest
State

Does State Have One
or More Supermax
Prisons?

Inmates Held in
Supermax Prisons

Prison Names

% of Prison
Population Housed
in Maximum Control
Units or Supermax
Prisons

Grade

Illinois

yes

271

Tamms

0.6%

Indiana

yes

327

Maximum Control
Facility

1.5%

Wabash Valley
Correctional Facility
Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota

yes

415

Oak Park Heights

4.8%

Missouri

Ohio

yes

Ohio State Penitentiary

0.1%

Wisconsin

yes

377

Wisconsin Secure
Program Facility

1.7%

Table 9: State Death Penalty
State

Does state have
death penalty?

Number executed
since 1976

Number on
death row

Grade

Illinois

yes8

Indiana

yes

Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

yes

Ohio

yes

196

Wisconsin

Table 10: Overall Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman,

or Degrading Treatment
State

Overall Freedom from
Cruel, Inhuman, or
Degrading Treatment

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Ohio

Wisconsin

Supermax prison data obtained during 2005 from two sources: 1) each states’ Department of Corrections website, and 2) telephone calls to supermax facilities.
The data is all from 2005.
7
2005 death penalty data obtained from the Death Penalty Information Center at
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/state/.
8
In January 2000, then Governor George Ryan imposed a moratorium on the state’s death penalty.
6

Human Rights in the Heartland

Data Tables

Freedom to Realize Human Rights
Table 11: Formal Protections Mechanisms
Existence of an Act Protecting Rights
(beyond the state constitution)
State

Existence of Formal Entity to Monitor
Compliance with the laws

Does state
have a Human
Rights Act?

Does state have
a Civil Rights
Act?

Protection
Grade

Does state have
a Department
of Human
Rights?

Does the
state have a
Department/
Bureau/
Commission of
Civil Rights?

Formal Entity
Grade

Overall Grade

Illinois

yes

Indiana

yes

Iowa

yes

Michigan

yes

Minnesota

yes

Missouri

yes

Ohio

yes

Wisconsin

yes

Table 12: Depth of Formal Protections
State

Number of Groups
covered by state
Acts

Illinois

Indiana
Iowa

Groups not covered
(out of 14)9

Groups Covered
Grade

Source of income

A-

Citizenship status, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status,
military status, criminal justice experience, and source of income

Citizenship status, sexual orientation, military status, criminal justice
experience, and source of income

Michigan10

Citizenship status, sexual orientation, military status, and source of income

C-

Minnesota

Citizenship status, military status, and criminal justice experience

C+

Missouri

Citizenship status, sexual orientation, marital status, military status,
criminal justice experience, and source of income

Ohio

Citizenship status, sexual orientation, military status, criminal justice
experience, and source of income

Citizenship status

A-

Wisconsin

• Federal laws have set the precedent for a subset of the
groups protected. Those laws include Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act (race, color, religion, sex, and national origin),
and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• In addition to these groups protected in federal law, six
states cover marital status; only three states cover sexual
orientation and something related to criminal justice
experiences; only two cover something related to military
status or source of income; and only one covers citizenship
status.

Table 13: Overall Freedom to Realize

Human Rights Grade
State

Overall Freedom to Realize
Human Rights

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

B-

Michigan

Minnesota

B+

Missouri

C+

Ohio

B-

Wisconsin

Race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military (some include military status or
unfavorable discharge), criminal justice experience (some include arrest record, or conviction record, or expunged/sealed/impounded arrest or criminal record, or misdemeanor arrest/
detention/ disposition with no resulting conviction), and source of income (some specify public assistance status).
10
Also covers height and weight.
9

Data Tables

Human Rights in the Heartland

Universal Declaration of Human Rights — quick reference*
Article 1 .......... Right to Equality
Article 2 .......... Freedom from Discrimination
Article 3 .......... Right to Life, Liberty, and Personal Security
Article 4 .......... Freedom from Slavery
Article 5 .......... Freedom From Torture and Degrading Treatment
Article 6 .......... Right to Recognition as a Person Before the Law
Article 7 .......... Right to Equality Before the Law
Article 8 .......... Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal
Article 9 .......... Freedom From Arbitrary Arrest and Exile
Article 10 ........ Right to a Fair Public Hearing
Article 11 ........ Right to Be Considered Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Article 12 ........ Freedom From Interference in Family, Home, and Correspondence
Article 13 ........ Right to Free Movement In and Out of the Country
Article 14 ........ Right to Asylum in Other Countries From Persecution
Article 15 ........ Right to a Nationality and Freedom to Change It
Article 16 ........ Right to Marriage and Family
Article 17 ........ Right to Own Property
Article 18 ........ Freedom of Belief and Religion
Article 19 ........ Freedom of Opinion and Information
Article 20 ........ Right of Peaceful Assembly and Association
Article 21 ........ Right to Participate in Government and in Free Elections
Article 22 ........ Right to Social Security
Article 23 ........ Right to Desirable Work and to Join Trade Unions
Article 24 ........ Right to Rest and Leisure
Article 25 ........ Right to Adequate Living Standards
Article 26 ........ Right to Education
Article 27 ........ Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of a Community
Article 28 ........ Right to Social Order Assuring Human Rights
Article 29 ........ Right to Participate in Community Duties Essential to Free and Full Development
Article 30 ........ Freedom from State or Personal Interference in the Above Rights
* The full version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights may be viewed online at www.un.org/overview/rights.html.

Human Rights in the Heartland

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Providing paths from harm to hope since 1888