Advocates for guaranteed income in Illinois are pushing for a permanent program, inspired by Cook County’s initiative. Byron Hobbs, the organizing director for Community Change’s Economic Freedom Team, emphasized their goal to establish a permanent income program for around 100,000 eligible residents in the state.
“The current economic situation hasn’t favored those who are poor or low-income, not just in Chicago, but throughout Illinois and the entire country,” Hobbs remarked.
At a gathering hosted by the Union for a Guaranteed Income (U4GI) on March 7, Hobbs engaged with local residents to discuss and finalize regulations for Cook County’s guaranteed income plan, which is set to start disbursing payments by late summer or early fall this year.
Many supporters see guaranteed income as a means of addressing ongoing price challenges through unconditional cash assistance.
Cook County’s plan, which followed a pilot program initiated in 2022 with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to offer a consistent basic income. Initially, it provided support to 3,250 low- to moderate-income households, delivering $500 a month for two years without any conditions.
Commissioners in Cook County made the decision to pursue a permanent program after reviewing beneficial outcomes from the program’s pilot. Community Change and U4GI have played pivotal roles, with the latter advocating for direct cash payments and successfully securing $7.5 million for the permanent rollout set for 2026.
Representatives from groups like the Workers Center for Racial Justice, Equity, and Change attended the March event, sharing statistics and personal accounts from recipients highlighting the program’s advantages.
One participant, Santresa Harris, shared that the additional income has significantly helped her family, allowing them to avoid cutting back on essential expenses.
This Cook County initiative reflects a broader national movement where cities are launching similar pilot programs funded by federal relief resources, largely driven by the Mayors’ Association for a Guaranteed Income, which aims to implement such programs nationwide.
Michael D. Tubbs, a notable figure in the movement and former mayor of Stockton, California, praised U4GI for its community-driven efforts and expressed optimism for a statewide guaranteed income program in Illinois.
While proponents tout the benefits, the Illinois Policy Institute has expressed opposition, arguing that a guaranteed income program may not be the best solution for the state’s economic problems. The group suggests that instead of cash payments, reforms that enhance economic growth and skill-building opportunities would better serve low-income residents.
Responses from state legislators, Cook County officials, and the governor’s office regarding these developments have not been immediate.
