Cook County in Illinois has approved $7.5 million to make its guaranteed basic income pilot program permanent, following the success of a previous initiative. The county, home to Chicago, has adopted the program as part of a broader effort to support low-income residents. The decision reflects growing interest in universal basic income (UBI) across the United States, with over 100 pilot programs launched since 2018.
The program, known as the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, was launched in 2022 with $42 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. It provided monthly payments of $500 to 3,250 households for two years, with no conditions attached. Economic Security Illinois Director Sarah Saheb described the initiative as a ‘historic success,’ saying, ‘When the federal government was stepping back from its responsibilities to working families, Cook County is leading the way to ensure people can afford basic necessities.’
Survey results released by the county’s commission in April showed that three-quarters of participants reported feeling more financially secure and 94% used the funds to address financial emergencies. Majorities also said the program improved their mental health and reduced stress. The commission learned that participants primarily used the funds for essential needs such as food, rent, utilities, and transportation.
However, the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI), a state think tank, has raised concerns, arguing that such programs ‘already shown to leave people with less work experience and lower earnings.’ Josh Bandoch, head of policy for the IPI, told Fox News Digital that the recent pilot in northern Illinois ‘decreased workforce participation and lower individual income (before transfers).’ But the commission countered that outcomes depend on program design, including amount of cash, frequency of payments, eligibility criteria, and local cost of living.
Cook County is now partnering with the Inclusive Economy Lab at the University of Chicago to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Promise Pilot. The findings will inform the design of future programs, ensuring they consider short- and long-term outcomes for participants. This decision is part of a growing trend across the U.S., with over a hundred UBI pilot programs launched since the early 2010s, supported by mayors and local governments seeking to address economic inequality.