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HomeMy WebLinkAbout064-R-22 Authorizing the Allocation of Additional Funds for the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program8/8/2022 64-R-22 A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Allocation of Additional Funds for the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program 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 -1- Page 1 of 5 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 64-R-22 of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council previously directed initial funding in the amount of $400,000.00 from the Local Reparations Fund for the Program as funds become available; and WHEREAS, City Council recognizes there is a need to expand upon this original funding and direct additional funds to the Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THAT: SECTION 1: That the foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and incorporated herein by reference. SECTION 2: The City Council hereby directs additional funding from the Local Reparations Fund to increase the Program budget from $400,000 to an amount not to exceed $3,450,000 (as funds become available). SECTION 3: Resolution 64-R-22 shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. Attest: Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Adopted: August 8 , 2022 IsaALd, ez lj Daniel Biss, Mayor Approved as to form: 0- Derke Price, Interim Corporation Counsel CPA Page 2 of 5 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 64-R-22 Utz Page 3 of 5 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 city of Evanston - To: From: CC: Subject: Date: Memorandum Members of the Reparations Committee Tasheik Kerr, Assistant to the City Manager Matthew Ouren, CMO Graduate Fellow Status of Direct Direct Descendants Reparations Applicants July 13, 2022 Recommended Action: Staff recommends the Reparations Committee accepts and places on file the status report on Direct Descendants reparations applicants. Committee Action: For Action: Accept and Place on File Summarv: Staff has been working to verify the Local Reparations: Restorative Housing Direct Descendants applicants. The verification process involves the confirmation of identity, age, and line of descent to the African American/Black resident that resided in Evanston between 1919 and 1969. As of July 12, 2022, staff has reviewed all 470 unique applicants. Of the applicants reviewed, 354 applicants have been verified, and 116 applicants are missing documentation. Staff has begun emailing those applicants that are missing documentation. Staff will also send out letters followed by phone calls in the coming weeks. The Committee should note that on review of the descendants. 11 applicants might qualify as Ancestors. Attachments: Status of Direct Descendents Page 4 of 5 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17 Status of Direct ā¯‘escendant Applicants Verified Status Not Reviewed Follow Up Needed lUnverifiable (Verified Grand Total Follow Up Needed # of Applications 0 116 0 354 470 Page 5 of 5 Doc ID: 968be321655f89c29c8947f80771890c28e75d17