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Four Community Members Appointed to City’s Reparations Committee

Submitted by the City of Evanston

On Monday, April 26, the Evanston City Council voted to approve four community members to serve on the City of Evanston’s Reparations Committee, joining Council members from the 2nd, 5th, and 8th Wards. The committee will continue the work started by the Reparations Subcommittee, which is being dissolved.

Committee members were recommended by Mayor Stephen Hagerty after receiving input from Mayor-Elect Daniel Biss and submitted to City Council for approval. More than 30 residents applied. 

Residents appointed to serve on the committee include Bonnie Lockhart, lifelong Evanstonian and current board member of Dementia Friendly Evanston; Claire McFarland Barber, founder and executive director of Elder Law & Wellness Initiative; Robin Rue Simmons, National African American Reparations Commission board member and outgoing 5th Ward Council member; and Carlis Sutton, 50-year resident of Evanston and retired District 65 and District 202 teacher.

“Each of these community members brings a unique perspective but a common commitment to repairing the generational harms caused by racism and discrimination,” said Mayor Stephen Hagerty. “I greatly appreciate their willingness to take on this responsibility as members of the City’s Reparations Committee, and I look forward to their contributions and leadership on this historic initiative.”

“I’m grateful to all those who’ve contributed to our City’s first bold steps towards acknowledging, addressing, and repairing the damage done to generations of Evanston families by systemic racism and white supremacy,” said Mayor-Elect Daniel Biss. “I look forward to working with the Reparations Committee, the City Council, and our community to chart a successful path forward, and ensuring that all those impacted have a voice in this process. Thanks also to Mayor Hagerty for allowing me to participate in this appointment process.”

The Reparations Committee will be responsible for implementing the recently approved Restorative Housing Program and recommending future funding allocations for housing and economic development initiatives to address historical discrimination.

For more information about the City of Evanston Local Reparations, visit cityofevanston.org/reparations or call/text 847-448-4311.