Cook County, which includes Chicago, has made its guaranteed minimum income permanent
Cook County, Illinois, which encompasses Chicago, has taken a significant step in social welfare by approving a permanent basic income program as part of its 2026 budget. Following a successful two-year pilot program that began in 2022, the county has allocated $7.5 million to continue providing unconditional cash payments of $500 monthly to financially vulnerable residents. This initiative aims to empower recipients to make their own spending decisions, thereby enhancing their financial stability and overall quality of life. During the pilot, which concluded in January, 3,200 households benefitted from the program, and feedback indicated that the payments significantly alleviated financial stress and improved mental health among participants.
The concept of guaranteed basic income (GBI) is gaining traction across the United States, with several cities and counties experimenting with similar programs. Unlike universal basic income, which offers payments to all individuals regardless of income, GBI focuses on a targeted approach, assisting those near the poverty line. The success of Cook County’s pilot program is echoed in survey results from participants, who reported using the funds primarily for essential expenses such as food, rent, utilities, and transportation. These findings align with broader trends observed in other GBI experiments, where recipients have reported increased financial security and reduced stress levels. Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have also expressed support for basic income initiatives, particularly as a response to potential job displacement caused by advancements in artificial intelligence.
Cook County’s decision to make its basic income program permanent positions it as a leader in the movement toward more progressive social safety nets in the U.S. As governments worldwide explore similar initiatives—such as Ireland’s permanent basic income for artists and South Korea’s upcoming large-scale program—Cook County’s actions may serve as a model for other regions considering the implementation of guaranteed income solutions. With the ongoing conversation about economic inequality and the future of work, Cook County’s commitment to providing financial support to its residents represents a hopeful step toward fostering a more equitable society.
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Cook County in Illinois, which includes Chicago, has approved a permanent basic income program.
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Cook County, which includes Chicago, ran a two-year basic income experiment in 2022.
During the pilot, thousands of residents received $500 a month to spend however they wanted.
The county has now made that basic income program permanent in its 2026 budget.
Many American cities and counties have been experimenting with a novel concept: Giving financially vulnerable residents free money every month without expecting anything in return.
The goal is to let those people decide for themselves how best to spend the extra cash, rather than requiring them to spend it on certain kinds of food or other necessities.
When those programs end, many report largely positive results. Few, however, are ever made permanent.
Cook County in Illinois, which includes Chicago, is now an exception.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved its 2026 budget proposal on Thursday, and it includes $7.5 million for
a guaranteed basic income
program.
Cook County had earlier run a basic income experiment for two years. It provided $500 a month to 3,200 households during that time. The last payment went out in January.
“The County will invest $7.5 million to continue supporting the Guaranteed Income program, providing direct unconditional monetary support to help residents live healthier and more stable lives,” the county’s now-approved budget proposal says.
A
guaranteed basic income
is a social safety net program in which a government provides certain residents with recurring, no-strings-attached cash payments for a set period. Often, the eligible recipients fit specific criteria, such as having a household income near the poverty line.
A guaranteed basic income differs from a
universal basic income
, which is when a government provides all individuals in a population with recurring, no-strings-attached cash payments, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
AI leaders, such as Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have publicly advocated for basic income programs to mitigate the
potential impact of AI
on human jobs.
Governments worldwide have toyed with basic income programs. Ireland recently made its
basic income for artists
permanent, and South Korea is poised to launch one of the world’s largest programs.
Cook County released survey findings based on responses from those who received cash payments between 2022 and 2025. The majority said the payments made them more financially secure, reduced their stress, and improved their mental health.
The top reported uses for the payments were food, rent, utilities, and transportation.
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