Chicago could be the next big city to consider a universal basic income pilot program.  

The Chicago Tribune reports, Northwest Side Alderman Gilbert Villegas, a Democrat, “wants to use $30 million in federal pandemic recovery money to pay up to 5,000 Chicagoans $500 per month for a year.” He will reportedly introduce the proposal during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.  

Chicago received $1.8 billion in coronavirus relief funds.  

According to the outlet, “Aldermen held a hearing on his proposal last month, and council Black Caucus Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin said it would be a ‘slap in the face’ to proceed with basic income before the city sets up a reparations program for descendants of enslaved people.” Villegas said many black residents would be eligible for the program, the article said. From the Daily Citizen.