Midwest
Illinois city slapped with lawsuit over 'unconstitutional' reparations plan: 'Using race as a proxy'
Some residents of Evanston, Illinois, are suing their city for doling out reparation payments in what they call an “unconstitutional” program.
The Illinois city made history in 2019 by becoming the first in the nation to create a government-funded reparations program for current and former Black residents. In 2021, the Evanston City Council voted 8-1 to approve a reparations plan that would provide $25,000 for qualifying Black residents to address harms caused by a pattern of housing discrimination and segregation that existed between 1919 and 1969.
Six non-Black residents attacked this since-implemented program for being “presumptively unconstitutional” based on its racial requirement.
Some Evanston citizens are accusing a reparations program of violating the Equal Protection clause by favoring Black residents. (Photo by Manny Ceneta/Getty Images)
“Defendant [Evanston], acting under color of law, is depriving Plaintiffs of their right to equal protection by purposefully and intentionally discriminating against Plaintiffs on the basis of race. Defendant’s use of race as an eligibility requirement injures Plaintiffs because it is a barrier that prevents Plaintiffs from participating in and obtaining payments under the program on an equal footing with persons who are able to satisfy Defendant’s race requirement,” the lawsuit read.
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It added, “Plaintiffs also are injured by Defendant’s use of race as an eligibility requirement because, but for the requirement, Plaintiffs would each be eligible for and in line to receive $25,000 under the program.”
The lawsuit seeks $25,000 payments to all eligible applicants regardless of race. (iStock)
The lawsuit also called the program “overinclusive,” as some groups eligible for payment were not required to provide evidence that they or their ancestors experienced housing discrimination and segregation. The city, the plaintiffs claim, is “using race as a proxy for having experienced discrimination during this time period.”
“Plaintiffs are being irreparably harmed by Defendant’s deprivation of their rights to equal protection and will continue to be irreparably harmed unless Defendant’s use of race as an eligibility requirement for the program is declared unconstitutional and enjoined,” the lawsuit claimed.
Evanston committed $10 million to the program and pledged another $10 million to the program in 2022. According to city records cited by the lawsuit, the city approved 454 “direct descendant” applications and plans to pay at least 80 applicants in 2024. 129 “ancestor” applications, people who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, have already received payments.
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Plaintiffs are calling for Evanston to remove race as an eligibility requirement and award all eligible applicants, including non-Black citizens, the $25,000 promised in the program.
Evanston launched a committee to distribute reparations in 2019. (Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Communications and Engagement Manager Cynthia Vargas said, “The City of Evanston does not comment on the specifics of pending litigation, but we will vehemently defend any lawsuit brought against our city’s reparations program.”
Fox News’ Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.
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A northern Michigan adult foster care administrator is headed to trial for involuntary manslaughter after a diabetic resident died, having not received prescribed insulin, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
Kristi Tucker-Fleischfresser, 40, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the November 2022 death of a resident at Pleasant Lake Lodge in Cadillac, where state prosecutors say she worked as the administrator.
The attorney general’s office alleges that on Nov. 1, 2022, a 60-year-old woman was admitted to the facility with diabetes and was prescribed two types of insulin. The woman was found dead in her bed on the morning of Nov. 5, having never received her prescribed insulin, authorities allege.
Prosecutors claim Tucker-Fleischfresser did not ensure that the resident received the prescribed insulin and obstructed the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs investigation.
The case was investigated by Michigan State Police and LARA and later referred to Nessel’s office by the Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Failing to provide life-saving medication to vulnerable adults is unacceptable, and I am pleased that this case will now move forward to trial,” said Nessel in a statement. “My office remains focused on ensuring adult foster care administrators understand the weight of their responsibilities and the consequences that follow when they fail those in their care.”
A pretrial date has not been set.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to eliminate Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
Timberwolves’ players Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert spoke to reporters after practice on Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square. The Timberwolves can eliminate the Denver Nuggets from the NBA Playoffs in Game 6 Thursday night at Target Center. If they lose, there will be a decisive Game 7 in Denver.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Thursday has a chance to be a historic night for the Minnesota professional sports scene.
The Timberwolves and Wild both have home playoff games, both lead 3-2 in their best-of-seven series and each can advance on the same night with a victory. If the Timberwolves and Wild both lose, they had back on the road for decisive Game 7s.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to close out Nuggets
The backstory:
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Game 6 on ESPN, with a chance to end Denver’s season. The Timberwolves had a 3-1 lead, but lost Game 5 125-113.
The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers, and allowed 125 points without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Chris Finch says Timberwolves had ‘soft mentality’ in Game 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves practiced Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square ahead of Game 6 against the Nuggets. Chris Finch spoke with reporters and said the team had a soft mentality that led to their Game 5 loss in Denver. The Timberwolves can close out the series with a win Thursday night.
“I thought we had a soft mentality,” Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch said after Wednesday’s practice at Mayo Clinic Square.
Aside from the turnovers, Jaden McDaniels had two early fouls as the Timberwolves started slow. Nuggets’ role players Spencer Jones and Cam Johnson also combined for 38 points.
Game 6 – What’s at stake
Why you should care:
The Timberwolves have another chance to eliminate the Nuggets, but this time can do so on their home floor in front of what will be a raucous crowd at Target Center. If they win, the Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third straight year.
If they lose, they head back to Denver for a Game 7. The team knows what’s at stake.
“We’ve got to come out, have fun, stay together. That’s what I told the guys. The game is going to swing, that’s basketball. It’s all about staying together and sticking to the game plan. I’m excited to play in front of the best fans in the world,” guard Ayo Dosunmu said.
“Obviously a lot is at stake, but it’s basketball. This is the moment you dream about,” center Rudy Gobert said. “It’s huge having the home crowd, but it’s basketball. At the end of the day, it’s on us to bring it.”
If the Timberwolves advance, they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night.
Wild host Dallas Stars for Game 6 Thursday
Dig deeper:
Over in St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild host the Dallas Stars in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arean. Puck drop is set for just after 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on TNT as well as FanDuel Sports Network.
Minnesota Wild can eliminate Dallas Stars Thursday night
The Minnesota Wild has a 3-2 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and can close out the series with a win in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. Wild coach John Hynes spoke to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the pivotal game.
The Wild can end the Stars’ season with a win, after earning a 4-2 win at Dallas in Game 5. Michael McCarron scored what ended up being the game-winning goal at the 7:47 mark of the third period, which gave the Wild a 3-1 lead. Up 3-2, Kirill Kaprizov sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Does the Wild’s mentality or approach change with a potential closeout game Thursday night? John Hynes says no.
“I just think it’s the mindset we’ve had as a group – you take each game for what it is. Each game has been highly-competitive, tomorrow night isn’t going to be any different,” Hynes said.
What’s next:
If the Wild lose Game 6, they will head back to Dallas for a decisive Game 7. The Wild is looking for its first playoff series win since 2015. If they advance, they face the Colorado Avalanche.
Missouri
Missouri City police bust chop shop operation, discovering at least 10 stolen cars, officials say
MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say police officers busted a major automotive chop shop operation in Missouri City on Tuesday, discovering multiple stolen vehicles and parts.
According to the Missouri City Police Department, officers responded to a “suspicious vehicle call” at a local business on Tuesday at 12:04 p.m., where a neighbor reported that a box truck without license plates dropped off car parts.
Officers said they arrived at the scene and saw the box truck leaving the property located at 2105 Brown St. Authorities said that officers conducted a traffic stop on the truck, and the driver of the vehicle, Francisco Tivar Reyes, was arrested on a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen vehicle parts.
Officials said that patrol officers spoke with the business owner and asked about the recent delivery of car parts. Investigators said they did a check of a VIN number on a pickup truck on the property and confirmed that it was stolen.
A total of six vehicles on the property were confirmed to be stolen, according to officials. The owner of the business, Mohammed Fattoe, was arrested for possession of stolen property, police said.
Investigators said they returned to the site on Wednesday to resume the investigation. With the assistance of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was obtained, and the business property was searched for additional stolen property, investigators said, adding that a total of ten vehicles and vehicle parts were confirmed by multiple agencies.
SkyEye13 flew above the scene on Wednesday morning, capturing images of authorities investigating the property and the multiple vehicles and car parts.
SkyEye13 was over the scene in Missouri City on Wednesday morning, with authorities investigating the “major auto chop shop operation.”
Missouri City police said the investigation is still ongoing, with search warrants on the property being executed to identify additional stolen vehicles and parts.
Authorities added that multiple agencies are working together on the investigation, including the Houston Police Department, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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