Evanston, Illinois, has expanded its Guaranteed Income Program, providing $500 monthly payments to 102 households for six months using remaining federal pandemic recovery funds. The program, originally restricted to families with children in specific census tracts, now includes all residents, adults aged 55 and older, and households earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The expansion follows concerns about administrative burdens, including spam applications during earlier rounds.
Legal and Political Challenges
The city is also defending its race-based reparations program, which provides $25,000 payments to eligible Black residents. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt has called the program unconstitutional and urged Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to intervene. Evanston officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Funding and Timeline
The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with federal law requiring funds to be obligated by 2024 and fully spent by 2026. The expansion aims to ensure all remaining funds are distributed before the deadline.