CHICAGO (CBS) -- In light of a new study showing Illinois lagging in efforts to help fight poverty, advocates were hoping state officials rededicate themselves to the task.

A report by the Heartland Alliance – a major anti-poverty organization based in Chicago – showed Illinois compares poorly to other states in several measures of poverty and hardship.

Heartland Alliance policy director Samantha Tuttle acknowledged the state is in a financial crisis that has prompted cutbacks to many programs that rely on state funding.

"We've seen programs that support people who are experiencing poverty steadily cut for several years, or kind of flat-funded so that they've eroded, and we'd like to see a plan, and we recommend a plan for seeking revenue, and really investing in the state's priorities," she said.

Tuttle said there are no-cost steps the state could take to help the poor in Illinois.

"Some are looking at increasing the minimum wage, would put more money in the pockets of many lower-income residents of Illinois, looking at some changes to make sure that we are protecting people's assets, improving things like children's savings accounts. All those are solutions that can really make a difference in people's lives," she said.

Advocates for the poor were looking forward to Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State address next month for signs for his plans for fighting poverty in his first year in office.

Tuttle said they're heartened by Rauner saying the state needs to be more compassionate, and they want to see exactly what he means.