Click on the link below to download the document. 

Direct Descendants Reparations Disbursement Order

The Selection Number is your place in line to receive Reparations funding. Identify your selection number by locating your Unique ID number.  If you are having difficulty, you may call 311 ( 847-448-4311) with your Unique ID number; they will inform you of your selection number. 

FAQs

Please note that all verified Direct Descendants will be funded. However, there are more recipients than available funding at this time. Reparations funds will be disbursed as revenue is received to the Reparations Funds. 

How many individuals will receive funding in 2024?  Staff anticipates disbursing reparations funds to at least 80 Direct Descendants in 2024. There might be more disbursement pending the tax received from the second cannabis dispensary, which is anticipated to open in February  2024. 

What should I expect if I am amongst the first 80 to be selected?   Staff will contact you in March to set up your in-person intake. 

How can I use my Reparations Funds? Please review the guidelines of the Local Reparations: Restorative Housing Program. There are four Reparations benefits: Home Purchase Benefit, Home Mortgage Assistance Benefit, Home Improvement Benefit, and Cash Benefit. 

Sign up to receive  notifications for upcoming Reparations home renovation projects via the link:  https://cityofevanston.wufoo.com/forms/reparations-contractor-sign-up/

View Current Contract Opportunities by clicking on the link below.  Submit quotes to Michael Dykes at mdykes@cityofevanston.org

Reparations Recipients Home Renovations Projects

Contribute to the City of Evanston’s Reparations Fund by making a financial donation.

On November 9, 2020, City Council adopted of Ordinance 102-O-20 amending portions of the City Code codifying the Reparations Committee. The new Reparations Committee expands the number of the members on the committee to include non-aldermanic members, along with updated roles and responsibilities that reflect the work being completed by the Reparations Subcommittee.

The Reparations Committee includes 5th Ward Councilmember Bobby Burns,  2nd Ward Councilmember Krissie Harris, Chair,  8th Ward Councilmember Devon Reid and residents Bonnie Lockhart, Claire McFarland Barber, Robin Rue Simmons and Carlis Sutton.

The Committee will work with residents, City staff and experts to explore and identify programs and opportunities to be supported by the Reparations Fund.

Information on the Reparations Committee, including members, meeting agendas, minutes, and meeting videos, is available via the Reparations Committee webpage.

The Reparations Subcommittee was dissolved in May 2021.  Past meetings including videos, agenda, and minutes can be found here: Reparations Subcommittee webpage

In 2002, the City Council supported US House Resolution 40 (HR-40), calling for a Federal Commission to study slavery and its vestiges, and to make recommendations for reparations, with the adoption of Resolution 43-R-02, “Slave Reparations.”

In November 2019, the Evanston City Council adopted Resolution 126-R-19, “Establishing the City of Evanston Reparations Fund and the Reparations Subcommittee.” The resolution committed the first ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) of the City’s Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax (3% on gross sales of cannabis) to fund local reparations for housing and economic development programs for Black Evanston residents.  

In passing Resolution 58-R-19, “Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equity”, In June 2019, the City of Evanston government recognizes that like most, if not all communities in the United States, the community and the government allowed and perpetuated racial disparities through the use of many regulatory and policy-oriented tools. 

Applications for the program were made available from September 21 to November 5, 2021.

 Resolution 126-R-19, Establishing a City of Evanston Funding Source Devoted to Local Reparations

Resolution 37-R-21, Authorizing the Implementation of the Evanston Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program

The Case for Reparations

Evanston Policies and Practices Directly Affecting the African American Community, 1900 - 1960 (and Present)

Equity and Empowerment Commission Reparations Recommendations - Wealth and Opportunity Gaps

Equity and Empowerment Commission - Recommendations on Actions to Address Wealth and Opportunity Gaps

Redlining in Evanston

Cannabis Arrests and Compliance Tickets

Reparations: Redressing Institutional Racism and Redlining

Financial Wellness Education Workshops

Local Reparations - Kamm Howard

Public Funding of Evanston's Local Reparations Program - Alderman Rainey

Developing a Segregated Town, 1900 - 1960

Who do I contact regarding my reparations letter? (i.e., I misplaced my letter or did not receive a letter)

Please contact reparations@cityofevanston.org . Staff may ask for additional information to verify your identity.

What does “I am verified to receive funding under the City of Evanston’s Local Reparations Restorative Housing program mean?”

If you applied as a Direct Descendant, you are eligible to receive reparations funding when it becomes available. 

What does my Unique Identifier Number mean?

Your Unique Identifier Number is a number unique to your reparations application. 

Why was I provided with resources from Devon Bank, Liberty Bank, Self-Help Federal Credit Union? 

The Reparations Committee provided resources for those considering purchasing a home in Evanston. These resources are provided to supplement your reparations benefit when it becomes available. You are NOT obligated to do business with these institutions. The information is provided as a supplemental resource ONLY. 

Please note that outside the City of Evanston’s programs, the City of Evanston is not partnering with, endorsing, or making any representations or warranties regarding the supplemental resources provided. 

If I did not previously submit an application for the Local Reparations Restorative Housing program, will there be an opportunity to do so? 

The Reparations Committee has not provided staff with direction to reopen the application.

What is the next step after receiving verification for the Local Reparations Restorative Housing program?

At this time, the Reparations Committee has prioritized funding distribution to the remaining Ancestors. The Committee is exploring alternative sources of revenue to fund the Reparations Program.

What does my Selection Number mean? 

ONLY those that have applied as an Ancestor have a selection number. The selection number is your place in line to receive funding.

Why is the City of Evanston implementing local reparations?

After the passage of Resolution 58-R-19, “Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equity,” in the summer of 2019, the Evanston City Council took action to address the historical wealth and opportunity gaps that African American/Black residents of Evanston experienced. Alderman Robin Rue Simmons sought a “Solutions Only” process with the support of the City’s Equity and Empowerment Commission to identify actions that the City could take to implement a meaningful repair and reparations policy. The first initiative identified was a housing program.

What is the Restorative Housing Program? 

The first reparations initiative developed by the City of Evanston is the Restorative Housing Program. The Program acknowledges the harm caused to African-American/Black Evanston residents due to discriminatory housing policies and practices and inaction on the part of the City from 1919-1969. The goal of the Program is to: 

• Revitalize, preserve and stabilize Black/African-American owner-occupied homes in Evanston

• Increase homeownership and build the wealth of Black/African-American residents; 

• Build intergenerational equity amongst Black/African-American residents 

• Improve the retention rate of Black/African-American homeowners in the City of Evanston

Funds support the following initiatives: 

Home Ownership: The Home Ownership initiative provides down payment/closing cost assistance to purchase real property located within the City. 

Home Improvement: The Home Improvement initiative provides funds to repair, improve, or modernize real property located within the City. 

Mortgage Assistance: Mortgage Assistance initiatives provide funds to pay down mortgage principal, interest, and/or late penalties for real property located within the City

Is the Restorative  Housing Program the only reparations program being offered by the City?

No, the Restorative Housing Program is the first initiative developed for local reparations by the Reparations Subcommittee. Resolution 126-R-19 specifically identified housing assistance and relief initiatives for Black or African American residents in Evanston and various economic development programs and opportunities for Black or African American residents and entrepreneurs in Evanston. Once the newly formed Reparations Committee is seated in May, future reparations initiatives will be developed through additional community outreach.

What’s the next step regarding the Evanston Restorative Housing Program? 

Guidelines for the Evanston Restorative Housing Program will be submitted to City Council for approval at the March 22 City Council meeting. If approved, the Reparations Subcommittee will host a number of Q&A sessions to educate the community on the guidelines and prior to the implementation of the program.

When can I apply for the Restorative Housing Program?

The Evanston Restorative Housing Program will be discussed at the March 22 City Council meeting. If approved, the Reparations Committee will develop an application process. More details to follow.