Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson created a task force on Monday to investigate possible reparations for black residents in the city, who were victims of racism or descended from slaves in the Civil War.
California has already created a “reparations task force” for people who were descended from slaves, which recommended that they could receive up to $1.2 million. The task force also recommended the state creates a genealogy office that would investigate whether someone is qualified for the payments.
Johnson said the city has a responsibility to look into the inequalities faced by black residents, citing the racism in education, employment, wealth, housing, safety and healthcare, according to The Hill.
“Today’s Executive Order is not just a public declaration; it is a pledge to shape the future of our city by confronting the legacy of inequity that has plagued Chicago for far too long,” Johnson said in a statement.
In the executive order creating the task force, Johnson apologized for the “historical wrongs committed against Black Chicagoans and their ancestors who have and continue to bear injustices.”
Black residents account for nearly 30% of Chicago residents as of 2023, according to the Census Bureau.
The creation of the reparations task force, which will look at policies that have impacted black Chicago residents since the Civil War, comes after Johnson allocated $500,000 for the endeavor in the 2024 budget. The reparations, if approved, could come in various forms, including financial payments, social service benefits, and land grants.
Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.