Politics & Government

Aldermen Discuss Possible Pilot Program For Guaranteed Basic Income

Similar pilot programs in other U.S. cities typically offer $500 cash to around 125 people for a limited time, with no strings attached.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), who has said he plans to introduce a guaranteed basic income plan to the City Council soon, said the need is urgent. Villegas said he would like to set aside 2% of the $1.8 billion in federal aid the city expects to get from the latest COVID relief program for a guaranteed basic income pilot project.

“We have got to get money, cash, into the hands of people so that way they can continue to keep the economy going,” Villegas said. “That money is going to circulate right back into the economy. So this is a great use of the funds that are coming from the American Rescue Plan.”

Read more at CBS Chicago

Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.