Cook County Becomes First Government Body in Nation to Make Guaranteed Income Permanent

Cook County Becomes First Government Body in Nation to Make Guaranteed Income Permanent

ESIL applauds Cook County Board for locking in historic program in 2026 budget

CHICAGO, IL – With the passage of its 2026 budget, Cook County will become the first government body in the nation with a permanent guaranteed income program. This $7.5 million investment will make the Cook County program the largest permanent program in the country at a time when families are facing an affordability crisis and devastating cuts from the federal government. ESIL is a proud partner with Cook County on this program and ESIL Director Sarah Saheb is a leader on the program’s advisory committee.

“With working families struggling to afford their daily lives, Cook County is taking bold action to put money directly back in their pockets,” said ESIL Director Sarah Saheb. “Cook County’s guaranteed income pilot was a historic success, helping families afford the groceries, childcare, and transportation they need to thrive. We are thrilled to see President Preckwinkle make this program permanent and look forward to partnering on the work ahead to make sure even more families can benefit.”

Launched in 2022, the first phase of guaranteed income in Cook County, the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, was the largest publicly funded program in the nation. With $42 million in federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, the two-year pilot provided monthly, no-strings-attached payments of $500 to 3,250 households. The final payments were distributed to participants in January 2025.

Economic Security Illinois is an affiliate of Economic Security Project. Economic Security Project mobilizes resources and people behind ideas that build economic power for all Americans. As an ideas advocacy organization, we legitimize our issues by supporting cutting edge research and elevating champions, win concrete policy victories for the communities that need to see change now, and provoke the conventional wisdom to shift what’s considered possible. Our team of academics, organizers, practitioners and culture makers disburse grants, run issue campaigns, develop creative interventions and research products to support the field, and coordinate events to encourage investment and action from others.


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