Dude, that amount of cash can’t feed a family much less pay rent in affordable areas of chicago near real work—and this is important, you can’t get a place near a good job market for less than $36,000–for a year. You are basically admitting capitalism is incompatible with human nature at this point.
The $24,000 would make it easier for people to stay in rural/more low-cost areas. This would reduce the average rents and cost of living in major cities.
I'm thinking that the $24,000 could have some cost of living adjustments or bonuses for those with children.