FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2025
Historic Win: Cook County Secures Funding for First Permanent County-Level Guaranteed Income Program in Country
This achievement showcases the strength of grassroots organizing and exemplifies how local initiatives can succeed, despite Republicans pursuing a federal agenda that harms working communities and low-income individuals.
On November 20, 2025, Cook County made history by approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, which includes $7.5 million for the nation’s first permanent county-level guaranteed income program. Community Change/Action, with our partners on the ground Workers Center for Racial Justice and Equity and Transformation, organized thousands of directly impacted people to achieve this win.
Byron Hobbs, Economic Freedom Organizing Director with Community Change Action, who led the grassroots campaign alongside directly-impacted residents, said:
“We did it. Thousands of Cook County residents supported this effort, which demanded a future where no one has to choose between medicine, rent, and groceries. This victory belongs to every community member who refused to accept poverty as normal.
Cook County proved that when communities lead, real change follows. And now that we’ve secured the funds in this budget, those who will be most impacted must have a seat at the table to negotiate the terms and conditions of how the program is run. Their experience, resilience, and wisdom will help co-create a future where we can truly abolish poverty in our county, our state, and ultimately our country.”
Court Britten, a leader from Community Change Action who led the organizing on the ground, said:
“At a time when groceries, rent, and medicine costs more and the help we need keeps shrinking, the Board didn’t just listen to our community — they acted. They chose to invest in people like me, who work multiple jobs, care for their families, and still struggle to stay afloat. I’m looking forward to seeing this meaningful initial investment grow into a well-funded, permanent, guaranteed income program that meets the real, evolving needs of Chicago and Cook County residents in years to come.”