Chicago Rolls Out Permanent Universal Basic Income for Low-Income Families

Chicago, IL – November 27, 2025  Chicago Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a permanent guaranteed income program, allocating $7.5 million in the county's $10.12 billion fiscal year 2026 budget.

The move, finalized last week amid rising inflation and federal funding shortfalls, transforms a successful two-year pilot into an enduring lifeline for thousands of low-to-moderate-income households in the Chicago metropolitan area.The program, dubbed the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income initiative, builds on the momentum of its precursor launched in 2022 with $42 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). That pilot delivered unconditional $500 monthly payments to 3,250 families selected via lottery, running from December 2022 through December 2024.

Early evaluations revealed the funds were predominantly channeled toward essentials—covering emergencies like medical bills, childcare, groceries, and transportation—rather than discretionary spending, underscoring the program's role in fostering stability rather than dependency.

"Cook County's guaranteed income pilot was a historic success, helping families afford the groceries, childcare, and transportation they need to thrive," said Sarah Saheb, director of Economic Security Illinois (ESIL), a key partner in the effort.

"At a time when the federal government is stepping back from its responsibilities to working families, Cook County is leading the way to ensure people can afford basic necessities."Board President Toni Preckwinkle championed the permanence of the program, framing it as a direct response to economic pressures exacerbated by post-pandemic recovery challenges. "This victory belongs to every community member who refused to accept poverty as normal," echoed Byron Hobbs, economic freedom organizing director with Community Change Action, which spearheaded the grassroots campaign alongside groups like the Workers Center for Racial Justice and Equity and Transformation.

The unanimous 17-0 vote reflects broad bipartisan support, a rarity in an era of polarized fiscal debates.

While the new funding scales back the pilot's scope—serving fewer recipients with the same $500 monthly stipend—the investment marks Cook County as the first U.S. county to embed guaranteed income into its core budget, outpacing similar efforts in cities like Chicago, where Mayor Brandon Johnson discontinued a parallel program last year to address budget gaps.

Globally, the initiative aligns with emerging models, such as Ireland's permanent basic income for artists and South Korea's forthcoming large-scale rollout.

Details on the next phase, including application processes and exact participant numbers, remain under development, with commissioners set to review proposals in the coming months.

Advocates hail the program as a scalable blueprint for combating inequality, potentially inspiring other municipalities grappling with affordability crises. As Cook County residents brace for another year of economic uncertainty, this bold step signals a shift: from temporary relief to systemic support, one monthly payment at a time. 17GEN4.com