By Michael Reagan and Michael R. Shannon
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
In a move echoing long-standing concerns about government giveaways as tools for political gain, Cook County officials have approved a permanent basic income program with taxpayer funds.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners has unanimously allocated $7.5 million for an ongoing guaranteed income initiative that succeeded in its initial pilot phase. The program replicates the original model funded during what critics called the Great Biden Covidpalooza Free Money Avalanche, but now exists as a local commitment rather than temporary relief measure.
Chicago’s largest county continues this trend of prioritizing permanent dependency over sustainable solutions, creating predictable voter support from the programs themselves. This approach represents government officials embracing policies that reward dependence while disregarding genuine economic improvement for residents.
Survey results released earlier this year purported to show positive outcomes among participants – three-quarters reported increased financial security and 94% used funds during emergencies. However, these findings are viewed with skepticism due to unanswered questions about methodology and the fact that politicians showed no interest in learning whether their claims matched reality or not.
The program’s continuation despite contradictory evidence suggests it functions primarily as a vote-grabbing measure designed to solidify support from guaranteed recipients rather than foster economic independence among residents.
