HomeMy WebLinkAbout027-R-23 Amending the Restorative Housing Program to Include Direct Cash Payment as an Option3/27/2023
27-R-23
RESOLUTION
Amending the Restorative Housing Program to Include Direct Cash
Payment as an Option
WHEREAS, 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”; and
WHEREAS, In November 2019, the Evanston City Council adopted
Resolution 126-R-19, “Establishing the City of Evanston Reparations Fund and the
Reparations Subcommittee”; and
WHEREAS, City Council 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; and
WHEREAS, In passing Resolution 58-R-19, “Commitment to End Structural
Racism and Achieve Racial Equity”, 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; and
WHEREAS, The Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program (“The
Program”) acknowledges the harm caused to Black/African-American Evanston residents
due to discriminatory housing policies and practices and inaction on the part of the City;
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27-R-23
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and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously directed that recipients of benefits
from the Local Reparations Fund were able to choose whether they receive said funds
through home improvement, mortgage payment, grant to beneficiaries or decline said
funds if they did not meet the requirements for the other options ; and
WHEREAS, City Council recognizes there is a need to expand upon this
the Program and allow beneficiaries to choose direct cash payment as an option.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THAT:
SECTION 1: The City Council hereby amends the Restorative Housing
Program to include direct cash payment as an additional option for payment.
SECTION 2: Resolution 27-R-23 shall be in full force and effect from
and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Adopted: __________________, 2023
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation
Counsel
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March 27,2023