Overview
- The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved funding from the county’s equity fund to continue the program into fiscal 2026, with officials saying remaining federal pandemic dollars could be used later.
- The initiative began in 2022 with $42 million in American Rescue Plan funds and provided $500 per month to 3,250 households for two years.
- County-released survey results reported that about three-quarters of participants felt more financially secure, 94% used funds for emergencies, and many cited reduced stress and better mental health, with most spending on essentials.
- Specifics for the next round, including eligibility and applications, are being developed by the Bureau of Economic Development and are expected to be finalized mid to late 2026 before any new enrollment.
- Cook County is partnering with the University of Chicago’s Inclusive Economy Lab to evaluate the pilot, as critics at the Illinois Policy Institute argue the approach reduces work participation and earnings.