Cook County, Illinois has officially moved to make its guaranteed income initiative a permanent fixture in its social safety net. Following a highly successful pilot program that concluded its payments in early 2025, county officials have approved a significant allocation in the 2026 budget to continue providing financial support to low income households. This decision marks a major shift from temporary pandemic relief to long term economic stability efforts for residents in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs.
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Transition from Pilot to Permanent Program
The journey to a permanent program began with the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, which launched in late 2022. This initial phase utilized federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to distribute $500 monthly checks to over 3000 households for two years. Based on the positive data collected, which showed improvements in financial security and mental health among recipients, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted in November 2025 to allocate $7.5 million from the county equity fund for the 2026 fiscal year. This funding ensures that the direct cash assistance model will continue beyond the original pilot phase.
Expected Eligibility Criteria for 2026
While the specific design of the new permanent program is currently being finalized by the Bureau of Economic Development, the eligibility rules are expected to mirror the successful pilot program. The primary goal remains to assist households that are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. Officials have indicated that the program will likely continue to target residents with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Importantly, the program has historically been open to all residents regardless of their immigration status, ensuring that undocumented families are not excluded from this vital support.
Understanding the Lottery Selection Process
Due to the high demand for financial assistance, the county anticipates that the number of applicants will exceed the available funding. In the previous pilot, over 230,000 applications were received for just a few thousand spots. To ensure fairness, the county employs a randomized lottery system to select beneficiaries. Once the application portal opens later in 2026, all eligible applications will be entered into this lottery. Those selected will then be notified and required to submit documentation verifying their identity, residency, and income before payments begin.
Timeline for New Applications
Residents eager to apply for the new round of funding should be aware that the application window is not open immediately in January. The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development is currently working on the program design, which includes determining the exact number of participants and administrative details. According to county spokespersons, this design phase is expected to be completed by mid to late 2026. Therefore, while the funding is secured, the actual application process and subsequent payments will likely commence in the second half of the year.
Program Overview 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Program Name | Cook County Guaranteed Income Initiative |
| Managed By | Cook County Bureau of Economic Development |
| Monthly Amount | $500 |
| 2026 Budget | $7.5 Million |
| Target Area | Cook County, Illinois (including Chicago) |
| Selection Method | Randomized Lottery |
| Status | Permanent (Design phase in progress) |
| Application Window | Expected Mid to Late 2026 |
Key Requirements for Applicants
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must be a current resident of Cook County, Illinois.
- Your household income must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You cannot be a participant in another guaranteed income program.
- You must not be an elected official of Cook County or a direct relative of one.
