Cook County’s guaranteed income program

Jailyn Brown, who has been receiving $500 through the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, at a bus stop in Bronzeville on her way to her job in Bucktown. Brown said she uses some of the money for rideshares but usually takes a bus.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

How well is Cook County’s guaranteed income program working?

One participant says she’s using the $500 monthly payments to help pay for transportation and her storage unit.

Jailyn Brown, who has been receiving $500 through the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, at a bus stop in Bronzeville on her way to her job in Bucktown. Brown said she uses some of the money for rideshares but usually takes a bus.

Pat Nabong

By Brenda Ruiz

Municipalities across the country are piloting guaranteed income programs as a way to combat poverty in their communities.

Reset learns about programs helping residents in Cook County.

GUESTS: Jailyn Brown, Bronzeville resident and participant of the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot

Shantá Robinson, Ph.D., assistant professor Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice; faculty affiliate Inclusive Economy Lab; faculty affiliate Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture at the University of Chicago