FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2025
Organizing Victory: Cook County On Its Way to First Permanent County-Level Guaranteed Income Program in Country
Community Change Action and our partners knocked thousands of doors to advocate for a permanent guaranteed income in Chicago and Cook County
On October 9, 2025, Cook County included $7.5 million for a permanent guaranteed income program in its 2026 budget proposal. Byron Hobbs, Economic Freedom Organizing Director with Community Change Action, which has been organizing with people on the ground to advocate for a statewide permanent guaranteed income program, said:
“This step forward is a true testament to the power of organizing and a perfect example of how local fights can win, even as the Republican-led federal government fails us. If the Cook County budget passes, it would be the first permanent county-level program in the country.
“With our partners on the ground, we knocked 4,000 doors and had 500 conversations with Chicago and Cook County residents, sharing stories about what no-strings-attached cash does to change people’s lives and boost the local economy. When the pilot programs were cancelled, thousands of people lost an essential lifeline that we know works.
“We are working with directly-impacted people who would benefit from a guaranteed income to reimagine what the safety net in their own communities looks like, while continuing to fight for robust federal programs. People are hungry for real solutions, and local legislators are listening. This is what democracy looks like. A future without poverty is what we’re all fighting for.”
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