Chicago Suburb Pays Reparations to Black Residents in a ‘Test Run for the Whole Country’

Evanston, Illinois, pays reparations to Black residents for discrimination and housing disparities, serving as a test run for the US.

Chicago Suburb Pays Reparations to Black Residents in a ‘Test Run for the Whole Country’
  • Evanston, Illinois, is the first city in the US to implement a program that pays reparations to Black residents for discrimination and lack of access to housing.
  • The city has committed to spending $10 million over 10 years on local reparations, with $25,000 each to be distributed to 140 eligible residents by the end of this year.
  • The reparations program is funded by marijuana and real-estate transfer taxes.
  • Evanston's program faced challenges but serves as a test run for reparations in the country.
  • Efforts for national reparations at the federal level have faced obstacles and are unlikely to progress under Republican control.
Chicago Suburb Pays Reparations to Black Residents in a ‘Test Run for the Whole Country’
Evanston, Ill., has committed to spending $10 million over 10 years for discrimination