While talks of reparations being given to Black Americans or the descendants of slaves have been in the works, Evanston, Illinois may be the first city to make this possible.Â
The city will be able to fund this plan by placing a 3% sales tax on their newly legal recreational marijuana sales.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, within the 10 million plan is the  Restorative Housing Reparations program that would distribute up to $25,000 for housing per eligible resident.
“It’s the most appropriate use for that sales tax,†5th Ward Alderman Robin Rue Simmons told ABC. “In our city, 70% of the marijuana arrests were in the Black community. And we are 16% of the community. All studies show that Blacks and white [people] consume cannabis at the same rate.â€
Leaders expect to distribute at least $10 million over the next 10 years to the residence of Evanston and residents may receive payments as early as this spring.Â
The Evanston City Council will vote on the reparation payments tonight during their meeting tonight.Â
