Third of Illinoisans went without health insurance in last 2 years

Nearly 31 percent of Illinois residents under age 65 were uninsured at some point from Jan. 1, 2007, through the end of last year, according to a report released Tuesday by Families USA that is based on government data.

In all, 3.5 million Illinois residents were uninsured at some point; some 2.5 million of them were uninsured for at least six months, the report found.

It also revealed:

- 78.7 percent of the uninsured were in working families.

- 21 percent of individuals and families with incomes at or above $42,400, which is twice the poverty level for a family of four, went without insurance during the period.

- 54 percent of individuals and families with incomes below $42,400 went without insurance.

- Nearly 51 percent of Hispanics and 39.1 percent of blacks went without health insurance during the period, compared with 24.5 percent of whites.