Illinoisans need a guaranteed basic income

Illinoisans are hurting. The COVID-19 pandemic has torn through our state’s economy and shuttered our small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our communities. Within three months, 1 out of every 5 hardworking Illinoisans was left unemployed. When we followed the process for unemployment support, we were denied because the state was woefully unprepared.

Illinoisans were already hurting before COVID-19, though. One-third of our neighbors across the state couldn’t afford to make ends meet, and just steps from where corporate interests grease the palms of our elected officials, 1 out of every 5 residents of Springfield couldn’t make ends meet despite having a lower-than-average unemployment rate.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a solution - a guaranteed income that will lift thousands of our community members in Springfield out of poverty overnight and provide economic security to our neighbors who need it most. Especially now, when we face an uncertain future with COVID-19 and no sense of direction from our federal leaders about how to address the economic crisis that is the worst we have experienced since the Great Depression.

With our federal leaders absent, local leaders across the country are stepping up to fight for their residents. Last month, the Economic Security Project and Mayor Michael D. Tubbs (Stockton, CA) founded Mayors for a Guaranteed Income to fight for a guaranteed income—direct, recurring cash payments—that lifts all of our communities.

16 mayors, representing 8.5 million Americans from the West Coast, the East Coast, and here in the Heartland, have joined the fight for economic security for their residents because they know that we are only as strong as our most vulnerable community members. They are committing to join together and to fight for a guaranteed income—for direct, recurring cash payments—to lift their communities and our nation and build a more resilient and just America.

Here in Illinois, where 1 out of every 3 of us can’t afford to make ends meet before COVID-19, not one of our leaders has yet to step up and fight for us. And with the $600 weekly increase to unemployment payments gone already with no future increase in sight, Illinoisans need our leaders to step up and get us out of this economic crisis.

Mayor Langfelder can be that leader - He said last year that Springfield’s best days are ahead. A guaranteed income will make that a reality. Mayor Langfelder has what it takes to make a stand for the people of Springfield and lead the way in bringing economic equity to Springfield - and to Illinois. He looks beyond partisanship and to all of the people he serves.

In a state that has an $857 billion economy and where trillions of dollars flow through its financial system every day - there is no reason our local leaders can stand by and let others lead. Mayor Langfelder said last year that it is his moral compass to make decisions that are in the best interest of Springfield. There is no more equitable fight than for a guaranteed income for the people of Springfield - lifting thousands of our neighbors out of poverty and providing economic security for all of us.

Humanity First for Illinois PAC is a grassroots, people-driven political action committee fighting for Humanity First initiatives in Illinois and for candidates up and down the ballot who will fight with us at the local, state, and federal level.
Humanity First for Illinois PAC is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.