Program Giving $500 Monthly Checks to Americans Extended ...

By Sam Stevenson

Associate News Editor

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The nation's second-most populous county has extended its guaranteed income program through 2026.

Why It Matters

Thousands of low- and middle-income residents in Cook County, Illinois, are set to receive continued financial support following the "historic success" of the Midwestern region's guaranteed income pilot program.

Cook County's announcement follows President Donald Trump's proposal for a national plan to distribute $2,000 "tariff dividend" checks to Americans—a move with significant fiscal and legal implications.

Both initiatives reflect ongoing debates about government direct payments and their role in addressing economic insecurity and affordability for working families.

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What To Know

The Board of Commissioners for Cook County, whose county seat is Chicago, voted in November to allocate $7.5 million from its 2026 budget to continue its guaranteed income program.

Originating in 2022 with $42 million in federal COVID-19 relief, the program provided $500 monthly, no-strings-attached payments to 3,250 households.

The new allocation comes from the county's equity fund, with officials saying future rounds may tap remaining federal pandemic dollars.

It follows reported positive outcomes from a participant survey, with findings that direct cash support reduced household stress and increased financial stability.

Guaranteed income pilots have expanded since 2018, with at least 100 such programs tested around the country, according to the Urban Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C., specializing in economic and social policy research.

Cook County's effort stands as one of the largest and is among the first to be made permanent.

At the federal level, Trump has advocated a separate, far larger plan: distributing $2,000 checks to Americans—excluding high-income earners—funded by tariff revenues.

Earlier this month, the president posted on social media, "We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion," adding, "A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stressed that such payments would require new congressional legislation, and economic experts have predicted the cost would far exceed current tariff revenue.

A Tax Foundation analysis estimates that the federal government has collected about $120 billion in tariff revenue so far, while sending $2,000 checks to 150 million Americans would cost almost $300 billion.

What People Are Saying

Sarah Saheb, the director of Economic Security Illinois, said in a statement on November 20: "With working families struggling to afford their daily lives, Cook County is taking bold action to put money directly back in their pockets.

"Cook County's guaranteed income pilot was a historic success, helping families afford the groceries, child care, and transportation they need to thrive. We are thrilled to see President Preckwinkle make this program permanent and look forward to partnering on the work ahead to make sure even more families can benefit."

Josh Bandoch, the head of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute, told Fox News Digital: "Cook County is making its guaranteed income pilot permanent and committing millions to a failed strategy already shown to leave people with less work experience and lower earnings. That should alarm anyone who wants real, long-term progress for low-income residents."

Treasury Secretary Bessent, commenting on the $2,000 tariff checks, told Fox News earlier this month: "We need legislation for that."

What Happens Next

For Cook County's guaranteed income plan, the specifics of the 2026 program—including eligibility criteria and application process—remain under review by the county's Bureau of Economic Development, with the process set to be completed mid to late next year, per Fox 32 Chicago.

Once finalized by the Bureau of Economic Development, the county board would need to approve the program before new recipients could enroll.

While Trump has suggested mid-2026 as a target for distribution for his $2,000 stimulus checks, no legislation has been filed determining eligibility, amounts or payment method.

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