Watchdog Group Sues Illinois City Over Race-Based Reparations Program

Judicial Watch challenges Evanston's $10 million reparations program in federal court.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Evanston, Illinois, to stop its $10 million reparations program that provides $25,000 payments to Black residents and descendants of Black residents who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969. The lawsuit alleges the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by discriminating based on race.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate around reparations programs, with proponents arguing they are necessary to address historical injustices and opponents contending they are unconstitutional forms of racial discrimination. The outcome could set a precedent for other cities considering similar reparations initiatives.

The details

Judicial Watch is representing five plaintiffs who were denied the $25,000 reparations payments due to their race. The group argues the program unlawfully picks "winners and losers" based on characteristics unrelated to any specific harm or injury. Evanston officials say the reparations are intended to cover housing expenses for eligible Black residents and descendants.

  • Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit against Evanston's reparations program on February 11, 2026.
  • As of January 31, 2026, Evanston's reparations fund had received $276,588 from the city's real estate transfer tax and had not received any philanthropic donations.

The players

Judicial Watch

A conservative watchdog group that filed the lawsuit against Evanston's reparations program.

Michael Bekesha

A senior attorney at Judicial Watch who spoke about the lawsuit.

Evanston

The Illinois city that launched a $10 million reparations program providing $25,000 payments to eligible Black residents and descendants.

Cynthia Vargas

An Evanston official who said the reparations payments are intended to cover housing expenses.

Tasheik Kerr

Evanston's assistant to the city manager, who said residents will be contacted about their reparations payments.

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What they’re saying

“The reparations programs that you're seeing around the country that are being talked about aren't that. They are just entirely giving money, usually to Black residents solely on the basis of race. And I mean, that's just problematic.”

— Michael Bekesha, Senior Attorney, Judicial Watch (Fox News)

“The best outcome would be for the court to declare the policy unconstitutional, prevent the city of Evanston from providing any more reparations payments based on race, and make whole any non-Black resident or descendant of a resident who, you know, would be otherwise eligible for the payment.”

— Michael Bekesha, Senior Attorney, Judicial Watch (Fox News)

“The Equal Protection Clause is that the government can't discriminate against citizens based on their race or gender or national origin. The government shouldn't pick winners and losers based on characteristics that are completely separate from whether or not somebody has been harmed or injured.”

— Michael Bekesha, Senior Attorney, Judicial Watch (Fox News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow Evanston's reparations program to continue or to declare it unconstitutional.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate around reparations programs, with proponents arguing they are necessary to address historical injustices and opponents contending they are unconstitutional forms of racial discrimination. The outcome could set a precedent for other cities considering similar initiatives.