At Equity and Transformation, we believe that the purpose of society and government is to support the people—that every person has a right to live a secure and meaningful life. We believe that people are entitled to determine their destiny, even if they make mistakes along the way.

Yet, this belief hasn’t been a reality for people who have been incarcerated. Too many people who have paid their debt to society can’t get jobs, can’t get housing, or can’t put food on the table. Without a stable source of income, many participate in the informal economy, which is often criminalized by the legal system. 

In 2016, Illinois saw 71,551 new convictions; of those, 70,610 were people heading back to prison. It costs Illinois taxpayers over $150,000 each time a person is sent back to prison. This guaranteed income program can establish a sustainable alternative to the costly and problematic prison industrial complex.

We plan to show the city of Chicago that by giving just $500 a month to 55 people in West Garfield Park, we can reduce recidivism, improve community health, and reduce the tax-payer burden. 

With your help, we can divest from systems that exploit the most vulnerable. Donate now to make a true difference in Chicago—the best investments we can make are in our people.