Cook County Launches Permanent Guaranteed Income Program

Supporters hold meeting to help shape distribution of $7.5 million in funding

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Cook County has approved the first permanent county-level guaranteed income program in the nation, setting aside $7.5 million in its 2026 budget to extend the program beyond the initial pilot. The Union for a Guaranteed Income (U4GI) held a public meeting to gather input from residents on how the program should be structured, including eligibility, application process, and payment amounts.

Why it matters

The guaranteed income program aims to provide financial stability and support for low- to moderate-income families in Cook County, many of whom have struggled with issues like job loss, unexpected expenses, and difficulty making ends meet. The program is seen as a potential model for other local governments to follow in providing a safety net for vulnerable residents.

The details

The initial Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot program provided $500 per month in no-strings-attached cash payments to 3,250 low- to moderate-income families for two years, using $42 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. A survey found that 75% of participants felt more financially secure, 94% were able to manage emergencies or unexpected expenses, and 73% believed the payments would continue to impact them after the program ended. The top reported uses of the funds were food, rent, utilities, and transportation.

  • Cook County's guaranteed income program launched in December 2022 and continued through January 2025.
  • The $7.5 million in funding for the permanent program was approved in Cook County's 2026 budget.
  • Organizers hope the first round of payments for the permanent program will begin by late summer or early fall of 2026.

The players

Union for a Guaranteed Income (U4GI)

An organization that advocates for and supports the implementation of guaranteed income programs across the country.

Byron Hobbs

Director of organizing for the economic freedom team at Community Change, a national organization that works to build power in low-income communities.

Santresa Harris

A recipient of the Cook County guaranteed income pilot program who used the monthly payments to cover essential expenses and secure a new job.

Taylar Tramil

Political director with the Workers Center for Racial Justice, a member of the Union for a Guaranteed Income, and a former participant in the guaranteed income program.

Krystal Peters

A child care organizer with the Workers Center for Racial Justice, a member of the Union for a Guaranteed Income, and a former participant in the guaranteed income program.

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What they’re saying

“This event is about educating folks on what guaranteed income is, but also bringing them into the fight as we continue to try and win guaranteed income programs throughout the state of Illinois.”

— Byron Hobbs, Director of organizing for the economic freedom team at Community Change

“The extra income, it helped a lot. It was like a supportive safety net.”

— Santresa Harris, Recipient of the Cook County guaranteed income pilot program

“The program absolutely helped me secure the job. It helped me with transportation, it helped me get clothing to be presentable, to keep the position.”

— Santresa Harris, Recipient of the Cook County guaranteed income pilot program

“Guaranteed income is not something new; this is something that has been advocated for years, for decades, but it's still something that the general public is not aware of as a potential solution for a lot of very common problems.”

— Taylar Tramil, Political director with the Workers Center for Racial Justice

“We all aspire to do and be and do better. And so what that monthly money allowed me to do was to invest in myself and begin to become that person, that woman that I see in myself, that organizer that I see myself being.”

— Krystal Peters, Child care organizer with the Workers Center for Racial Justice, member of the Union for a Guaranteed Income, and former participant in the guaranteed income program

What’s next

Officials are crafting updated rules around applications, eligibility and program design for the permanent guaranteed income program, with a final plan expected this year. Organizers hope the first round of payments will begin by late summer or early fall of 2026.

The takeaway

The approval of a permanent guaranteed income program in Cook County represents a significant step forward in providing financial stability and support for low- to moderate-income families. The program's success in the pilot phase and the ongoing efforts to engage the community in shaping the permanent program demonstrate the growing momentum for guaranteed income initiatives as a tool to address economic inequality and empower vulnerable residents.