Ald. Pawar Wants Chicago To Try Universal Basic Income

Alderman Ameya Pawar
Alderman Ameya Pawar
Alderman Ameya Pawar
Alderman Ameya Pawar

Ald. Pawar Wants Chicago To Try Universal Basic Income

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Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar on Tuesday said he’s working closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to recruit business and labor experts for a pilot program to help lift families out of poverty.

In June, Pawar introduced a resolution to create a task force to study universal basic income. In the pilot, 1,000 families could receive a minimum of $500 per month with no strings attached.

The task force would also alter the Earned Income Tax Credit Modernization program so the same 1,000-families are able to secure monthly payments instead of yearly ones.

The resolution has been supported by 36 alderman, including Patrick O’Connor who serves as chairman of the Committee on Workforce Development and Audit.

Jeffery Winters of Northwestern University joins the Morning Shift to break down the concept of universal basic income.

GUEST: Jeffrey Winters, professor of political science at Northwestern University

LEARN MORE: Copy of city council resolution

Chicago may become the largest city in U.S. to try universal basic income (The Intercept 7/16/18)

Chicago could soon become the biggest US city to trial a universal basic income (Business Insider 7/18/18)