Trump DOJ sues to halt first U.S. reparations program in Evanston, Illinois
The Trump administration’s Justice Department filed a lawsuit to stop Evanston, Illinois’ first-in-the-nation housing reparations program for Black residents, arguing it violates the Equal Protection Clause by distributing benefits based on race. The program, funded by a $20 million cannabis tax, had already distributed over $7 million for housing and economic development. Evanston officials defend the initiative as a remedy for historical housing discrimination. The case could set a nationwide precedent for local reparations efforts.
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Trump Administration Seeks to End First U.S. Reparations Program for Black Americans in Evanston
The Trump administration, through the Department of Justice, has filed a lawsuit to terminate the first reparations program in the United States for Black Americans, located in Evanston, Illinois. The program, launched in 2021, provides $25,000 to descendants of Black residents who faced housing discrimination due to city policies between 1919 and 1969, and also covers all residents experiencing housing discrimination after 1969 regardless of race. The DOJ argues the program is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional because it distributes benefits based on race. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that handing out money based on race is not the answer. Evanston has allocated $20 million to the program, funded by a tax on legal marijuana, with $7 million already distributed for housing-related expenses. The article suggests the administration rejects acknowledgments of racial discrimination as 'wokeness' or 'DEI,' and warns that success of the lawsuit could prevent similar reparations programs nationwide.
The New RepublicTrump Administration Seeks to End First U.S. Reparations Program for Black Americans in Evanston
The Trump administration, through the Department of Justice, has filed a lawsuit to terminate the first reparations program for Black Americans in Evanston, Illinois. The program, launched in 2021, provides $25,000 to descendants of Black residents who faced housing discrimination between 1919 and 1969 due to city policies, and also covers all residents experiencing housing discrimination after 1969 regardless of race. Funded by a $20 million marijuana tax, $7 million has been distributed for housing costs. The DOJ argues the program is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that handing out money based on race is not the answer. The article suggests the Trump administration views such acknowledgments of racial discrimination as 'wokeness' or 'DEI,' and warns that success in this lawsuit could block similar reparations programs nationwide.
The New RepublicTrump Administration Seeks to End First U.S. Reparations Program for Black Americans in Evanston
The Trump administration, through the Department of Justice, has filed a lawsuit to terminate the first reparations program for Black Americans in Evanston, Illinois. The program, launched in 2021, offers $25,000 to descendants of Black residents who faced housing discrimination between 1919 and 1969 due to city policies, as well as to any resident facing housing discrimination after 1969, regardless of race. Funded by a $20 million marijuana tax, $7 million has been distributed for housing expenses. The DOJ argues the program is unconstitutional because it distributes benefits based on race, calling it 'racially discriminatory.' The administration views such acknowledgment of racial discrimination as 'wokeness' or 'DEI.' If successful, the lawsuit could block similar reparations efforts nationwide.
The New RepublicTrump's DOJ asks judge to halt first reparations program in U.S. history
The U.S. Department of Justice under President Trump has filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to halt Evanston, Illinois' $20 million reparations program, calling it 'racially discriminatory.' The program, which is the first of its kind in U.S. history, had already distributed over $7 million in marijuana tax revenue to Black residents for housing and economic development. The DOJ argues the program violates the Equal Protection Clause by using race-based eligibility criteria. Evanston officials defend the program as a remedy for historical housing discrimination. The case represents a major legal test for local reparations initiatives and could set a precedent for similar programs nationwide.
Fortune | FORTUNETrump administration asks judge to halt first reparations program for Black people in US
The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging a Chicago suburb's housing reparations program for Black residents, arguing it is racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. The city council in Evanston, Illinois, earmarked $10 million in revenue generated from cannabis sales taxes in 2019 for a first-of-its-kind local reparations program for Black residents. The DOJ's move marks a significant federal intervention in a local initiative aimed at addressing historical racial inequities, with the Trump administration opposing the program on constitutional grounds.
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