Summary
Cook County in Illinois has extended its guaranteed income program, giving low- and middle-income residents $500 each month until 2026. President Trump has proposed a national plan to give Americans $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenues, but this requires new legislation. Cook County's program began in 2022 with federal COVID-19 relief funds and has shown positive outcomes for recipients.
Key Facts
- Cook County will continue its $500 monthly checks to residents through 2026.
- The program originally started in 2022 using $42 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
- A recent vote allocated $7.5 million from the county's 2026 budget to the program.
- The program aims to help low- and middle-income families with their financial stability.
- President Trump proposed $2,000 "tariff dividend" checks for Americans funded by tariffs.
- The proposed national plan would require new legislation to be implemented.
- Economic experts say the cost of the national plan would be much higher than current tariff revenue.
