Chicago officials began talks about providing reparations to black residents who are descendants of slaves in the first meeting of a subcommittee created within the city council.
The subcommittee, within the council’s health committee, was approved to be formed in September 2020 so city officials could look at the “state of equity” within Chicago.
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“This meeting is necessary. This subcommittee is necessary,” said subcommittee Chairwoman Ald. Stephanie Coleman, who added that the work will result in a “tough conversation” with tougher ones to follow down the road.
The first meeting largely revolved around the group getting organized, as well as hearing from experts on the topic of reparations, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago’s subcommittee has little power to enact real reparation plans, but members said they see it as a step forward to bring the conversation to the local level.
Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, scheduled a vote for March 22 on reparations, which would be paid for by a 3% tax on legal marijuana sales.
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If the vote passes, the city, home to Northwestern University, could be the first in the country to fund reparations for black residents.
