Illinois City Approves Plan to Pay Reparations to Certain Black Residents

Evanston, Illinois has approved a plan to compensate black residents for discrimination they may have faced. The program, called the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program, is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Evanston approved the $10 million plan by an 8-1 vote Monday. The program's first phase will make $400,000 available in the form of $25,000 homeownership and improvement grants for black residents who can prove they descended from someone who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969. The lone city representative to vote against the plan advocated for reparations as cash payments instead, and said the plan doesn’t give residents enough say in how the money will be distributed. Some reports on all sides, especially from right-rated sources, highlighted the fact that the program will be partially funded by marijuana sales tax revenue. Reports from many left- and center-rated sources focused more on the plan's details, and on quotes from people who voiced support for the program. Most coverage from right-rated sources featured quotes from people who were opposed to or critical of the plan more prominently than reports from left- and center-rated outlets.