An organization involved in the Guaranteed Income Program in Illinois’ largest county is advocating for “economic protection” for undocumented immigrants. Their aim is to ensure that individuals, regardless of immigration status, are included in fundamental social and economic safeguards.
The group, Community Change Action, believes that “financial freedom” is essential and promotes guaranteed income as a means to achieve that. They argue that guaranteed income can offer economic stability for both workers and families.
Recently, the organization has been pushing for a statewide income guarantee program in Illinois, building on its successes in Cook County. They played a role in establishing the first permanent cash assistance program in the nation and were instrumental in securing $7.5 million in initial funding.
Earlier this month, Community Change participated in a meeting to finalize rules for the Permanent Income Program, with initial payments expected to start in late summer or early fall this year. Byron Hobbs, the organizing director for its Economic Freedom Team, shared that their ultimate goal is to implement a permanent guaranteed income program for 100,000 eligible residents in Illinois.
In addition, the organization wants to see a federal guaranteed income program. A decade ago, they proposed a bold guaranteed income initiative, intending to drive transformative actions in communities.
Furthermore, Community Change has previously called for reducing funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following violent incidents involving federal agents. Recently, they held rallies and press conferences urging lawmakers to take action against ICE.
As their interim program director stated, communities are taking strong stances against the actions of ICE. They have been actively supporting one another by sharing resources, and he expressed hope that government representatives would respond appropriately by cutting off financial support to ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Community Change did not provide a comment when contacted for further information.
