Community Change Action, the advocacy wing of the nonprofit Community Change, continues to push for economic policies that include all residents—regardless of immigration status, Fox News reports. The group envisions what it calls an "immigrant-inclusive democracy," one that guarantees every person access to basic social and economic protections.
A central part of this mission is the pursuit of what the organization describes as “economic freedom.” On its website, Community Change Action says a guaranteed income provides families and workers with stability and the ability to live “full, dignified lives”—no matter their background or origin.
This vision is reflected in the group’s activity across Illinois. Following its involvement in establishing the nation’s first permanent cash assistance program in Cook County, Community Change Action now advocates expanding that success statewide. Its partner, the Union for a Guaranteed Income, helped secure $7.5 million to start the original initiative, which has become a model for broader adoption.
Earlier this month, the organization joined a meeting focused on finalizing rules for Illinois’ permanent guaranteed income system. The first round of payments is expected later this year, by late summer or early fall. At that meeting, Community Change’s director of economic organizing, Byron Hobbs, told attendees their goal is to eventually provide guaranteed income to 100,000 eligible residents. He explained that the gathering was not only to explain the policy but also to mobilize public support for expanding it throughout the state.
Beyond Illinois, the group seeks a federal guaranteed income program, calling for “bold proposals” at every level of government. Its broader campaign connects guaranteed income to a wider mission of economic justice and immigrant protection.
Community Change Action has also taken strong positions against federal immigration enforcement. The group has publicly urged Congress to cut funding to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), particularly after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal agents. In February, the organization helped organize a Washington, D.C. rally calling on lawmakers to remove ICE from Minnesota and block future funding.
Desmond Serette, the group’s interim chief of programs, praised community members who have stood up to ICE. “They’ve shared groceries and medicine, put their bodies on the line, they’ve closed their wallets to the businesses of ICE," Serette said. "The least our representatives could do is confront this administration, use their power of the purse, and cut off the flow of funds to ICE and CBP."