City of Evanston Reparations Committee met March 5
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
COMMITTEE MEMBER PRESENT: Bobby Burns, Councilmember (Online)
Matt Rodgers, Councilmember
Krissie Harris, Councilmember
Claire McFarland Barber, Committee Member (Online)
Robin Rue Simmons, Committee Member (Online)
Carlis Sutton, Committee Member (Online)
COMMITTEE MEMBER ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Tasheik Kerr, Staff Liaison
1. CALL TO ORDER/DECLARATION OF A QUORUM
The meeting was called to order at 9:09 AM. A quorum was not present. Committee Members Robin Rue Simmons, Councilmember Burns, and Carlis Sutton were online.
A. ANCESTRAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Rodgers read the Ancestral Acknowledgement.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Due to a lack of quorum, the approval of the minutes for the meetings held on February 5, 2026, November 5, 2025, October 2, 2025, and September 4, 2025, was deferred to the April meeting.
3. DISCUSSION
A. Recommendation to Allocate $310,000 from 2221 Keeney Sale for ReparationsÂ
Councilmember Burns provided a summary of the property. It was noted that this allocation would allow approximately 10 additional people to receive payouts this year. Councilmember Rodgers stated that, since this involves unbudgeted revenue rather than an expenditure of $250,000 or more, it does not require a prior hearing by the Finance and Budget Committee.
This item will return for a formal vote in April.
B. Recommendation to City Council to Impose Tax on Delta-8 Products
Councilmember Burns recused himself from the discussion due to a professional interest in the Illinois adult-use cannabis program. It was noted that the City’s Corporation Counsel stated that, while Evanston has home rule authority to tax these products, legal challenges are likely. Concerns were raised regarding the difficulty of local collection and the potential for federal or state bans on hemp-derived THC. Community members recommended that the city also consider restricting minors’ purchases of these products.
This item will return for a formal vote in April.
4. LISTENING SESSION
Residents engaged in discussion with the Committee. They shared feedback on the Reparations expo and expressed concerns about the lack of Black-owned commercial property downtown and the need for a “Black Learning Center” to teach finance and history.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Residents engaged in discussion with the Committee during the Listening Session.
6. ADJOURNMENTT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 AM.
https://cityofevanston.civicweb.net/document/448080/Reparations%20Committee%20-%20Mar%2005,%202026%20-%20Minutes%20-%20P.pdf?handle=7FE1DC96AA3842F08D738D9F14EDC1A5
