The city of Evanston, Illinois, on Monday night approved a plan to pay out $ 10 million in reparations to black residents for housing and mortgage support.
Why it matters: The city of 73,000 residents, 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, is the first city in the country to pass such a measure.
In numbers: The measure passed 8-1, per WNUR news
The big picture: The city will pay the reparations through cannabis tax income, per information provided by the municipality.
- People who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, their descendants, or those who can show that they were discriminated against with regard to housing policy would be eligible for reparations.
What they say: Councilor Robin Rue Simmons, who was behind the initiative, told the New York Times that the move was “a start.”
- “It’s the bill,” she added. “As a city, we are really proud that we are leading the country to recovery and justice.”
Go deeper: The Catholic Order is committed to making $ 100 million in reparations for slavery