Chicago suburb begins paying reparations to black residents

A Chicago suburb began paying reparations to black residents this week after first approving the proposal in 2019.

Thus far, 16 residents have received funds from a $10 million sum the city allocated for such payments, the Evanston Round Table reported. The money was initially to come from cannabis sales tax, but the city subsequently approved use of real estate transfer tax revenue to expedite the process.

Apart from the 16 individuals who have already received payment, the city has identified 90 more eligible individuals and begun making home visits.

"Our job here is just to move forward and to continue being that example, to continue illustrating that a small municipality can make real tangible progress," said mayor Daniel Bliss. 

The reparations committee, meanwhile, expects to have paid out $25,000 to each of 140 eligible residents by the end of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal. To qualify, a resident must have been at least 18 and living in the city between 1919 and 1969, the New York Post reported.

Calls for reparations have gained steam in recent years, particularly in left-leaning states such as California, while critics have raised questions as to the legality of granting public funds to individuals on the basis of race.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.