Illinois
PBS NewsHour | What to know about a lawsuit against reparations in Illinois | Season 2024 | KQED
Wednesday is Juneteenth, the federal holiday celebrating the Emancipation of Enslaved people in America this year.
It comes amid renewed debate about reparations for the descendants of people who were enslaved and of the victims of Jim Crow laws well into the 20th century In 2021, the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, became the first US city to offer reparations to black Americans for past housing discrimination.
Now a conservative legal group is challenging the program in court.
Saying it unconstitutionally discriminates against residents who aren’t black Brandis Freedman anchors Chicago tonight on PBS member station W TT W in Chicago.
Brandis give us a little sense of the background of this program who qualifies for it and how much money has been paid out.
Hey, John, So, uh, this you know, came about sometime after 2020.
Of course, I think a lot of folks.
A lot of cities were starting to talk about reparations in a way that they hadn’t in the past.
And so Evanston’s measure, it requires that Who is 18 or older and was a resident of the city of Evanston, between 1919 and 1969.
Or is a descendant of a resident between that same time period.
Um, is eligible to receive the benefit right?
And so the benefits are $25,000 initially $25,000 to go towards housing.
So the first part of the $20 million that the city has pledged is a housing initiative where folks who fit the bill can either make a down payment on a new house.
Or they can, uh, prepares Upgrades to their homes or use that fund or use those funds to pay back.
Uh, if they owe penalties to the city at this point, I think initially some of that roll out was a little bit slow, but I think, um, I approximately 3 million or so has been paid out thus far.
Um, last year, the city also added on to that where, um, the same group of people who meet the requirements, uh, could receive a $25,000 direct cash payment.
Is there much public support for this?
In Evanston?
There is Uh, quite a bit.
You know, Initially, when this was passed, Not everyone was supportive.
Right?
There were some folks who argued that this is not a reparations package that this is, um you know, a package for the mortgage lenders and for the banks, um, and for the city that you know the folks who would actually be receiving those $25,000 And then later on, there was the $25,000 cash payment option.
That was added You don’t hear a lot of opposition in the area.
I think a lot of folks are still kind of waiting to see as that money gets passed out, you know, as it gets distributed to those who Eligible, um, to see the benefit and and how it’s helped them for those who don’t know Evanston describe it for us politically demographically.
Sure, um, so Evanston sits just north of the city of Chicago on what is called the North Shore.
It’s at the bottom edge of the North shore.
Just outside the city.
Some folks call it urban light.
Um, because it’s still you know, a thriving uh, suburb.
Northwestern University is in Evanston.
A politically It’s pretty blue, as is, You know, a lot of Chicago.
Uh, Chicago specific, You know, as you get or Chicago proper, I should say.
Once you get farther and farther out, um the you know it it the the politics start to change color A good bit.
The conservative legal group Judicial Watch is bringing this suit.
What’s their argument, though their argument is, I mean, I I’ve read Reverse racism.
Their main argument is that because the 14th amendment that this that the reparations package is a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment, because the city of Evanston uses race as a proxy as a determining factor of whether or not someone experienced racism, I, I think you know, some critics of that argument would say the city of Evanston has admitted to its role in racism between the years of 1919 and 1969, as have many cities, whether out loud or not to The Covenant, the restrictive covenants that prevented black people from living in certain neighborhoods.
The redlining that we all know the federal government and the you know, mortgage lenders at the time all participated in that prevented that so that’s that’s their main argument.
The other part is that you know, they believe that the federal government doesn’t have really a compelling interest in making, um, making integration happen.
Um and, uh, the plaintiffs argue that you know that they too should receive.
Um, the $25,000 payment.
Um, and so I think they are asking for an injunction.
Against this legislation.
Is there any sense that the plaintiffs were emboldened by the Supreme Court’s rejection of race?
Aware college admissions, the attorney that I’ve spoken with Christine Svenson?
She’s locally based, but she does work with, uh, a judicial watch.
Yes, that I think that is part of their argument.
They believe that the Supreme Court has said that race can’t be a factor in determining these kinds of things.
And so, yes, they are certainly, uh, leaning on the Supreme Court’s argument, and what’s the city said about the suit.
They’ve been kind of quiet and not responding to Suit itself, which isn’t a huge surprise.
A lot of times when Sudi cities face legal suits like this, they’re prevented from speaking about the suit itself.
But they have said that they defend their legislation and that they are proud to the then you know, the first city in the country to pass a reparations package.
Um, and the failed to defend it for setting the country to pass a reparations.
But also, uh is this gonna be closely watched this challenge?
Absolutely.
It is going to be closely watched because, as you mentioned John, there are other cities even the state of California is considering and looking at how they might be.
Able to implement their own reparations package.
And so I think some folks are keeping an eye on this one just to see what how far this case goes.
And what is decided, Um, and how it might impact others.
Brandis Friedman of Wttw in Chicago.
Thanks very much.
Thank you.
A major overhaul to the Illinois justice system could be officially underway.
House Bill 3363 lays the foundation for a brand new agency, the state public defender office.
The goal is to bring more consistent legal representation for Illinois residents who can’t afford an attorney.
Joining us now to discuss the rolled-out timeline is the bill’s sponsor, State representative Dave Vella, who actually started his legal career as a public defender, before heading to Springfield.
Illinois
Illinois Democrats face backlash after blaming Trump in Chicago cross-burning case | Fox News Video
‘Outnumbered’ reacts to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blaming President Donald Trump for a cross-burning incident in Grant Park.
Illinois Democratic leaders Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are slammed for weaponizing a Chicago cross burning incident by blaming former President Trump. Despite the suspect, Murlin Lue, admitting his motive was to protest Trump, not racism, Pritzker and Johnson doubled down. Critics, including Illinois GOP State Rep. Chris Miller, accuse them of playing politics and fostering division rather than seeking truth.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – November ballots will feature a repeat of top billing in the race for governor. Illinoisans can once again choose between Governor JB Pritzker or Darren Bailey to lead the Land of Lincoln.
But beside their spots, new names will appear for voters.
The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor picked new running mates for their rematch. With Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton running for U.S. Senate, Pritzker picked Christian Mitchell to join his ticket. On the Republican side, Aaron Del Mar joins Bailey, who previously ran with Stephanie Trussell in 2022.
Mitchell and Del Mar spoke Thursday with WIFR on what inspires them to run, their campaign priorities and ideas to improve the Rockford region.
Backgrounds
Starting with the Democratic ticket, Mitchell joins the race as a former state representative from Chicago as well as a deputy governor with the Pritzker administration.
“Before anything else, I’m Debbie’s son, and I’m James’s grandson,” Mitchell introduced. “They’re the ones who really instilled in me the value of hard work and made sure that I was going to have a very bright future.”
Mitchell sees the role of lieutenant governor as a partner to the state’s executive.
“I’m really lucky to be running with somebody who I respect, and who I think is the best governor in the nation… Governor JB Pritzker,” he said.. “My first thing is going to be supporting his agenda, which right now is all about lowering costs and raising wages.”
On the Republican side, Del Mar hails from suburban Chicago and considers his first priority to be raising his family.
“I wanted nothing to do with politics, did not want to be involved — wanted just to raise my kids and work my job,“ said Del Mar. He described his start in public service as something he ”kind of got pulled into.”
The Republican worked his way from a city council member in Palatine, at 29-years-old, to co-chair of the Illinois GOP. Although he says he “wanted nothing to do with being on” Bailey’s campaign, Del Mar sees strength in unity — offering a Chicago area perspective alongside Bailey’s southern Illinois roots.
“How about everybody in the state of Illinois, regardless of where you come from, has a seat at the table. If you’re from a southeast farming community, or you’re from the city of Chicago, where I grew up, everybody has a stake in the game.”
Priorities
Mitchell points to economic development as his focus for the gubernatorial campaign.
“I see vacancies on State Street in Chicago. I see vacancies on Main Street in Belleville and Alton and in Carbondale,” he recounted. “I want to make sure that we’ve got the kind of amenities and economic development, that kind of affordability, that allow us to make sure that folks want to stay in the towns that they’re born in if they want to.”
The Democratic candidate also eyes long-term planning for the state, including an “Illinois 2050 Plan.”
“How do we have the kind of educational undergirding that means that no matter where you’re from, you have a chance to have one of those jobs, whether it’s in new agriculture technology and new farming techniques or biotech, quantum.”
When asked how to achieve these priorities, Mitchell turned to investing in public education, retaining residents with better wages and improving health care.
“Making sure that we are able to protect our health care system, so that folks aren’t going broke when they get sick, that’s another big way that we can make an impact.”
Del Mar outlined a cost-of-living focus as central to his campaign.
“You wanna succeed, you do the basics really well, and the basics are affordability,” he contended.
The Republican repeatedly highlighted the state’s property taxes — reportedly the highest in the nation — as an issue to tackle. He suggested redirecting Illinois’s budget as one measure to ease the burden on homeowners.
“Number one is fully funding the state’s portion of local taxes, because that will offer people property tax relief.” Del Mar clarified this wouldn’t mean redirecting funds for public education.
“We’re looking at how we fund schools, how we make sure to empower teachers to have the best educational outcomes that we can have here in Illinois, regardless of what your zip code is, regardless of what your parents do for a living or how much money they make,” added Del Mar.
Reflecting on Rockford
Each candidate provided their vision for boosting the Rockford region.
For Mitchell, improvements continue with infrastructure funding, building on the state’s roughly $500 million investment in the area.
“The things that we have already worked on, through the capital plan that I helped lead as deputy governor, that the governor signed and is implementing, are already having benefits that the people of Rockford can see.”
The Democrat also pointed to the Chicago Rockford International Airport as an opportunity.
“Investing in that regional airport where we’ve already helped with a matching grant to get additional funds, that helps build out the economy,” said Mitchell. “There’s so much that’s happening there that it is really good for the economy and bringing more people back to Rockford.”
Del Mar shared his local priority as supporting unionization in the area.
“Union families deserve to be able to have a livable wage, and that’s something that’s important to Darren and I,” said Del Mar. He mentioned pensions were another item that a Republican executive wouldn’t touch for the public and private sector unions.
“I know that area up there has strong union backbone,” described Del Mar. “We want to make sure they know that they’re not going to have a bigger supporter in the governor’s mansion than Darren and I.”
Election Day
When asked for thoughts on their opponent, Mitchell criticized the Bailey campaign as a “repacking” of his 2022 run.
“The only record that they have to run on is extremism,” he exclaimed.
The Republican candidate also reflected on records, pointing to Pritzker’s years in office.
“Why are we underfunding education? Why are property taxes at all-time high? Why are businesses leaving?” asked Del Mar.
Voters can decide on who will lead Illinois November 3. Early voting starts September 24, with applications for voting by mail opening August 5.
Extended Interviews
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.
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