At a meeting held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, the Evanston Reparations Committee revealed that nearly $5.2 million has been distributed to reparations recipients as part of the Restorative Housing Program.
Since its inception in 2019, the local reparations fund has expanded to $20 million, with more than $5 million disbursed directly to eligible residents through $25,000 individual grants under the program. “It has begun the process of healing and repair in our own city,” said committee member Robin Rue Simmons.
Initially, the Restorative Housing Program focused solely on home ownership, home improvements, and mortgage assistance. However, in March 2023, the committee broadened the program to include direct cash payments as an option.
In a report presented by Tasheik Kerr, assistant to the city manager, city staff engaged with 73 direct descendants of Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969. As of November 1, these descendants are eligible for reparations. Among them, six opted for home improvement benefits, while 70 chose cash benefits, with some dividing their allocation between the two. A total of $1,775,000 has been designated for direct descendants.
