How guaranteed-income programs helped these Chicago-area residents

Felix, 72, who received $500 a month from the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, at his home in Pilsen, where he is his wife’s main caretaker. “It was a success having those $500 that they would give us,” he said. “Because it was a lot of help to me.” (Pat Nabong / Sun-Times)

For a South Side resident, being able to get a guaranteed income of $500 a month made her feel like she was finally “above water.” A Pilsen resident was able to work as his 69-year-old wife’s main caretaker for a year. A west suburban Cook County resident would like the guaranteed income to help her and her two children stay in their home amid rising rental costs. 

They are among thousands of Chicago-area residents taking part in a national experiment to see how guaranteed income can help people living in low-income households.