In what might surprise absolutely no one paying attention, a progressive organization is now pushing for guaranteed income programs that would include illegal immigrants—because, of course, that’s where the conversation is headed.

Community Change Action, the advocacy arm of Community Change, is working behind the scenes of a guaranteed income program in Cook County, Illinois. Their broader vision? An “immigrant-inclusive democracy” where, in their own words, no one is excluded from “basic social and economic protections”—regardless of immigration status.

Yes, that includes individuals who are in the country illegally. Just in case that part wasn’t already obvious.

The group has made “economic freedom” a central focus, with guaranteed income—essentially no-strings-attached cash payments—being one of its flagship policies. Their messaging paints a picture of dignity and fairness for all, which sounds great on paper. The details, however, are where things start to raise eyebrows.

Community Change has already helped establish what’s being described as the first permanent cash assistance program in the United States, right there in Cook County. With the help of its partner organization, Union for a Guaranteed Income, they secured $7.5 million to launch the initiative. And they’re not stopping there.

The long-term goal? A statewide program covering 100,000 eligible Illinois residents. And beyond that, they’re aiming for federal-level guaranteed income policies. Because why keep things small when you can go nationwide, right?

At a recent March 7 meeting, organizing director Byron Hobbs made it clear that this is about more than just explaining the program—it’s about mobilizing support to expand it across the state. Payments from the latest round are expected to begin later this year, meaning this isn’t just theoretical anymore—it’s happening.

But guaranteed income is only part of the agenda.

Community Change Action has also taken a strong stance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), previously calling for funding cuts and even advocating for removing ICE presence from certain areas. The group has framed enforcement actions as harmful to communities, while urging lawmakers to use their power to cut funding to both ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

Supporters might call this compassionate policy. Critics—well, they’re probably asking how exactly this aligns with enforcing immigration laws or prioritizing American taxpayers.

At the center of it all is a broader push to redefine who qualifies for government support and how far those benefits should extend. And while debates around economic policy are nothing new, expanding taxpayer-funded programs to include illegal immigrants is bound to keep raising serious questions.

One thing is certain: as these policies move forward, the conversation around fairness, responsibility, and national priorities isn’t going anywhere. And with strong leadership and clear direction, those debates can lead to solutions that actually put Americans first—while still keeping the door open for real, meaningful reform.