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Originally published on blockclubchicago.org 11/21/22  |  Photo: Maia Pandey/Block Club Chicago

The first $500 monthly checks will roll out next month for the 3,250 pilot program recipients.

Jailyn Brown might soon be able to invest in starting her own business. Clarence Schaffer is going to be able to keep up with bills to keep a roof over his head as he cares for his mom.

The two are among the first to be enrolled in Cook County’s $42 million guaranteed income pilot program, which will provide $500 monthly to enrollees for the next two years. It’s the largest publicly funded program of its kind in the United States — and the first where the government has committed to a permanent continuation after the pilot ends, according to county officials.

More than 230,000 people applied to the program, with 3,250 people ultimately selected. Brown, Schaffer and others from that cohort enrolled Wednesday during the first of several in-person enrollment events the county will hold before the first checks go out Dec. 15.

Brown, of Bronzeville, said she heard of the program through a friend who was also applying. A cashier at a Dollar Tree in Beverly, Brown said her income has been limited since the location splits eligible working hours between all employees — and most hours go to stockworkers.

Along with paying routine bills, Brown hopes to use the money to invest in her own candle business, she said.

“Sometimes I’ll have between 10 and 15 hours a week, and it’s biweekly, so I wouldn’t really be getting much,” Brown said. “It’s kind of a struggle to keep any kind of money in my account.”

Pete Subkovieka, director of the pilot program, said allowing residents to lift themselves out of economic insecurity has been a primary goal.

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Originally published on abc7chicago.com 11/20/22 

A troupe of Chinese lion dancers welcomed 13th District Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita to the stage at Evanston Township High School Sunday, where she was sworn in as the first Asian American woman to serve in that capacity.

Described as the most diverse district in Cook County, the 13th District stretches from West Ridge and Rogers Park in Chicago, to the North Shore suburbs of Wilmette and Winnetka.

Morita replaces Larry Suffredin, who retired early after 20 years in office.

She was hailed Sunday by other female leaders, from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

"I'm very grateful to her to take this on. This is a moment in our history when it's a challenge to be a public official," Preckwinkle said.

"Josina is a force of nature,' said Schakowsky (D-IL). "There is no doubt about it. She has been a presence in our community. She has been a leader. "

Until now, Morita, who is also a mother of two young children, served as commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. After taking the oath Sunday, she also brings the total number of women on the board to six, which is a new record.

"I may not be Assyrian or a refugee, Black or Latino, Muslim or Jewish, LGBT or Q. But I do know what it's like to be unseen, unheard and unrepresented," Morita said. "To be told that, statistically, you do not matter. Today, I am the one being sworn in but I am pulling up a chair for everyone to be seated at the table."

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