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Millions of dollars are being allocated to help thousands of families who are struggling to make ends meet in the Midwest.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners in Illinois just voted to extend a guaranteed income program and distribute a total of $7.5 million to selected applicants, reports Fox32 Chicago.
The initiative, which is expected to run next year, will provide direct and “unconditional monetary support to help residents live healthier and more stable lives.”
The extension comes following a survey of families who were selected for the pilot run of the county’s guaranteed income program in 2022. Back then, 3,250 households received $500 in no-strings-attached checks over a period of two years.
The poll reveals that 75% of participants felt more financially secure, with 94% saying that they relied on program funds after experiencing a financial emergency or unexpected expense.
Officials set aside the budget for the program from the county’s “equity fund.”
Cook County officials say that they have yet to determine the nuts and bolts of the extended program.
One spokesperson notes that the county’s Bureau of Economic Development is still working on the application process, along with the criteria for eligibility.
The details of the program are expected to be finalized in mid- to late-2026.
