Dupage Policy Journal

State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-North Aurora) said giving money away under a universal basic income (UBI) is a fantasy. 

Responding to The Intercept report “Chicago May Become Largest City in U.S. to Try Universal Income,” Oberweis told the DuPage Policy Journal that assisting families financially with free money is a very bad idea. 

“Chicago cannot afford it,” Oberweis said of residents receiving a set sum of income monthly to help them afford basic necessities.

Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar

The report has Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar of the 47th Ward saying a UBI could be just what the state needs.  

“Pawar recently introduced a pilot for a UBI program in Chicago,” The Intercept reports. “Under his program, $500 a month would be delivered to 1,000 Chicago families — no strings attached.”

Oberweis, however, said present levies make the proposed plan impossible. 

“High taxes are already driving businesses out of the city and Cook County, including our own family business, Oberweis Dairy,” Oberweis said. “We would all like free money, but the reality is, there is no such thing.”

Oberweis looked to UBIs elsewhere to prove the program’s failure. 

“I believe some of the countries that have experimented with this idea are ending the test programs because of the cost,” Oberweis said.

According to The Intercept, “if Pawar’s program is implemented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago would be the largest city in America to experiment with UBI,” which would enable the creation of a Chicago-specific Earned Income Tax Program.

“Pawar has convinced the majority of Chicago lawmakers to co-sponsor the plan, and he is hoping that the Chicago City Council will soon work with the mayor to implement it,” The Intercept reports.

Approved or not by the council, Oberweis objects.

“If government gives money to one group of individuals, it must take it away from some other group,” Oberweis said. “When taxes become unbearable, people, businesses and jobs leave for lower tax states like Florida and Texas."