Eligible Cook County residents will be able to apply for the pilot beginning October 6 and will have until October 21 to submit their application.
(COOK COUNTY, IL) — Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Cook County Commissioners and community partners to announce the upcoming application launch of the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot. Eligible Cook County residents will be able to apply for the pilot beginning October 6 and will have until October 21 to submit their application. Interested applicants can learn more about how to prepare to apply and sign up to receive updates by visiting www.engagecookcounty.com/promise
“With a $42 million investment, this two-year pilot is the largest publicly-funded guaranteed income initiative in American history and will provide thousands of our residents with a stable economic foundation – many for the first time in their lives,” President Preckwinkle said. “Cook County is proud to be leading the way for government in the American guaranteed income movement. With this historic investment, we aim to show the nation what guaranteed income at scale can achieve.”
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot will send monthly payments of $500 to 3,250 residents for two years. Payments to program participants are expected to begin December 2022. President Preckwinkle and County leadership have committed to continuing the program after the completion of the pilot, supported by a combination of County funds and philanthropic support.
“It is critical that residents in Cook County have a level of economic stability on which to stand, so we are excited to launch the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot after many months of work,” said Xochitl Flores, Bureau of Economic Development Chief. “This has been a significant effort on many fronts and a case study in the importance of working closely with experienced organizations when tackling ambitious and innovative projects like the Promise Pilot.”
