West Siders are speaking in support of a new Illinois House Bill that could give guaranteed income of $500 a month to eligible state residents. Already successful in Chicago, this guaranteed income would serve as a form of reparations — financial compensation for the descendants of those enslaved in the U.S.
“It’s not just a handout, it’s a hand up,” said Deon Hodrick, an Austin resident and research intern with Equity and Transformation Chicago. EAT was created in 2018 by and for people who’ve been incarcerated, and to create equity for those who face everyday barriers after incarceration.
On Saturday, EAT co-hosted a people’s assembly with Movement for Black Lives at Alt Space Chicago, 5645 W. Lake St. The goal was to educate locals about House Bill 4443 and guaranteed income.
Filed in January by Rep. La Shawn Ford, House Bill 4443 would create the Illinois Future Fund to provide qualifying Illinois residents — those who live in a community disproportionately affected by economic disinvestment and cannabis criminalization, and who receive SNAP benefits— with a $500 a month cash payment. This guaranteed income would be funded by dispensary taxes that go into the Cannabis Regulation Fund. In addition to administrative expenses, the Cannabis Regulation Fund subsidizes Restore Reinvest Renew grants given to Illinois communities impacted by high rates of incarceration, economic disinvestment and violence.
Hodrick himself is a testament to the success of guaranteed income. He was introduced to EAT 2 years ago as a part of a citywide pilot project, Chicago Future Fund, where EAT administered to Hodrick $500 a month for 12 months. EAT also helped guaranteed income recipients reduce other barriers to success after incarceration by assisting with transportation, buying clothes for a job interview or setting up a bank account. Today, Hodrick works as EAT’s research intern, canvassing Chicago neighborhoods and speaking on panels to educate others about guaranteed income and other issues that formerly incarcerated people face.
“All this stuff has transformed me into a leader in my own community,” Hodrick said. “This was the whole snowball effect of positivity through guaranteed income. … This has been life changing for me.” He added, “I didn’t feel like $500 a month was a lot of money, but what it did was [teach] me how to manage my money or have some stability, like I won’t be panicking about my phone bill this month.”
Now, Hodrick and EAT are spreading the word about how House Bill 4443 could impact communities throughout Illinois. Through Saturday’s people’s assembly and other events, EAT aims to inform the community about guaranteed income and who’s eligible, but also to energize locals to support the bill.
“Our work don’t stop after that assembly. We still have to go to Springfield, we still have to fill up buses, we still have to check in with our senators and aldermen,” Hodrick said. “We still have to keep boots to the ground, still have to keep pushing the information, we still have to go to Congress.”
They’re also spreading the word about how the Illinois Freedom Fund would benefit the West Side of Chicago with mental and financial stability that could reduce crime.
“These reparations would help everybody in the Austin community tremendously. I live there, my mother still lives there, and every day I see different examples of small things that could go a long way with my people,” Hodrick said. “A lot of people in my area are living below the poverty line, doing a lot of things that they don’t necessarily have to do to make ends meet.”
“Just because they ain’t got $50 or $20, crime is being committed,” Hodrick added. “It just helps people catch up on bills, small things to push them in the right direction. I think that’s what guaranteed income represents.”
Guaranteed income as reparations
Since its creation, EAT has advocated for reparations in Chicago.
“They were one of the lead organizations in the city to help marijuana be legalized,” Hodrick said of EAT. “Through that, they were already pushing for reparations through the cannabis sales tax.”
Today, the Cannabis Regulation Fund subsidizes Restore Reinvest Renew grant funds. R3 funds programs in civil legal aid, economic development, reentry, violence prevention and youth development.
When it comes to reentry into society after incarceration, those who are formerly incarcerated face a multitude of barriers in getting a job, housing and access to healthcare. Hodrick is currently working on a Bill of Rights for people who are formerly incarcerated.
“The Austin community has a large percentage of returning citizens from penitentiaries, so these guys need opportunities,” Hodrick said. He added that guaranteed income “is proven to stop recidivism and give people the luxury of making decisions not out of haste. People have to be able to make decisions in life not under pressure.”
Reparations through guaranteed income have proven to be effective throughout Cook County.
For 2 years starting in Dec. 2022, Cook County gave $500 monthly cash payments to 3,250 families with low-to-moderate incomes. The payments were funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds from the federal government after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, the county reported that 94% of participants used program funds for a financial emergency or unexpected expense, 70% said the program positively impacted their mental health, and 73% said the payments would continue to impact them after the program ends.
The next Cook County guaranteed income program is being designed this year to distribute $7.5 million to participants. Stay informed about the next program through this interest form.
The post Locals push for Illinois House bill for reparations appeared first on Austin Weekly News.
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