Cook County Makes History: Permanent $500 Monthly Payments Now Available to All Residents, Including Undocumented Immigrants

Chicago, IL – December 7, 2025  In a landmark move aimed at combating economic inequality, Cook County – home to Chicago and its sprawling suburbs – has solidified its commitment to financial security by establishing a permanent guaranteed income program in its fiscal year 2026 budget. The initiative, known as the Cook County Promise, will provide $500 monthly cash payments to thousands of low-to-moderate-income families, explicitly open to residents regardless of immigration status, including undocumented individuals.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $7.5 million for the program last month, embedding it into the county's $10.12 billion budget and marking the first time a U.S. county has made such a guaranteed income effort a fixture of its annual funding. This expansion builds on a successful two-year pilot that launched in 2022, which distributed unrestricted cash to 3,250 eligible households and demonstrated tangible benefits like reduced financial stress and improved access to essentials.

"This is about putting real power back into the hands of working families who have been hit hardest by inflation, housing costs, and economic uncertainty," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a statement following the approval. The payments, she emphasized, are unconditional – no strings attached for spending – and designed to supplement, not replace, employment or other aid.

Eligibility for the program remains broad and inclusive, targeting families earning up to 100% of the area median income, with a focus on those in high-poverty zip codes. Crucially, immigration status plays no role in qualification: Both documented and undocumented residents are welcome to apply, a policy that has drawn both praise for its equity and criticism for extending taxpayer-funded benefits to non-citizens. The pilot's original guidelines confirmed this openness, stating explicitly that "this pilot is open to all residents of Cook County, regardless of your immigration status."

Advocates hailed the permanence as a "bold step toward racial and economic justice," noting that the program has already helped participants cover groceries, childcare, and medical bills without the stigma of means-testing. Early data from the pilot showed recipients using the funds flexibly, with many reporting better mental health and family stability.

However, the decision hasn't been without controversy. Conservative critics, including voices on social media and in national outlets, have decried the inclusion of undocumented immigrants, arguing it strains local resources amid Chicago's ongoing migrant influx. "Even as taxpayers struggle under soaring bills, Cook County is making Universal Basic Income permanent – and handing it out to everyone, no questions asked," one recent commentary lamented.