The city council passed Mayor Lightfoot’s budget this week… and it includes a pilot program to provide a guaranteed basic income of $500 per month to 5000 city residents in need.
Applicants will be chosen at random to receive the money… the primary requirement at this point is that you make less than $35,000 per year.
Mayor Lightfoot says this program is designed to help lift families out of poverty and rebound from the financial effects of the COVID quarantine. It's similar to plans rolled out to help citizens of other towns and cities across the country like St. Paul, Minnnesota and Stockton, California.
Los Angeles just approved a similar plan and Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco are among about 40 U.S. cities that are currently considering doing the same for their residents.
May the cash be with you!