Evanston Reparations Program Expands to 44 More Descendants

The city's groundbreaking initiative will provide $25,000 payments to additional Black residents impacted by historic housing discrimination.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Evanston Reparations Committee announced that it will issue $25,000 reparations payments to 44 additional descendants of Black residents who faced housing discrimination between 1919 and 1969. This expansion of the city's pioneering reparations program, the first of its kind in the U.S., will provide direct financial assistance to more individuals and families harmed by the city's past discriminatory housing policies.

Why it matters

Evanston's reparations program represents a significant step towards addressing the lasting impacts of systemic racism and housing discrimination. As the first government-funded reparations initiative in the country, it serves as a model for other communities seeking to take meaningful action to repair historical injustices and provide tangible support to affected residents and their families.

The details

Each of the 44 newly eligible descendants will receive a $25,000 payment to be used for housing expenses, according to Evanston's Communications and Community Engagement Manager Cynthia Vargas. The reparations program was established in 2019 and approved by the Evanston City Council in 2021, targeting Black residents and their direct descendants who were impacted by the city's discriminatory housing policies between 1919 and 1969.

  • The Evanston Reparations Committee announced the expansion on February 5, 2026.
  • The 44 additional reparations payments will be issued this summer.

The players

Evanston Reparations Committee

The committee overseeing Evanston's groundbreaking reparations program, the first government-funded initiative of its kind in the United States.

Cynthia Vargas

Evanston's Communications and Community Engagement Manager, who provided details on the reparations program expansion.

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What they’re saying

“Each of the 44 descendants will receive $25,000 payments, which are intended for housing expenses.”

— Cynthia Vargas, Communications and Community Engagement Manager (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Evanston City Council will review the list of eligible recipients and approve the additional $25,000 payments in the coming months.

The takeaway

Evanston's reparations program represents a groundbreaking effort to directly address the lasting impacts of historical housing discrimination against Black residents and their families. As the first of its kind in the U.S., the program serves as a model for other communities seeking to take meaningful action to repair past injustices and provide tangible support to affected populations.