Resolution 126-R-19, “Establishing the City of Evanston Reparations Fund and the Reparations Subcommittee.
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On November 14, 2019, Evanston established a dedicated reparations fund for African American residents by directing all revenue from the city's adult use cannabis tax (capped at 3% of gross receipts) into a separate municipal account, with the Chief Financial Officer authorized to manage these funds. The resolution followed the City Council's September 2019 approval of the Equity & Empowerment Commission's recommendations and a subcommittee feasibility study focused on housing assistance and economic development programs for African American residents and entrepreneurs. The fund also permits donations from outside organizations, corporations, and individuals.
Full text
11/ 14/ 2019 126- R- 19 A RESOLUTION Establishing a City of Evanston Funding Source Devoted to Local Reparations WHEREAS, on September 9, 2019, the City of the Evanston ( the " City") approved the recommendations of the Equity & Empowerment Commission related to local reparations for African American residents of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council formed a subcommittee of its Council members to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of several recommendations: 1) housing assistance and relief initiatives for African American residents in Evanston; and 2) various Economic Development programs and opportunities for African American residents and entrepreneurs in Evanston; and WHEREAS, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, Public Act 10 1 - 27 ( the Act"), was signed into law and went into effect on June 25, 2019; and WHEREAS, the Municipal Cannabis Retailers' Occupation Tax Law, 65 ILCS 5/ 8- 11- 22 ( the " Law"), was enacted as part of the Act; and WHEREAS, the Law provides that the City may " impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling cannabis, other than cannabis purchased under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, at retail" in the City " on the gross receipts from these sales made in the course of that business" in an amount not to exceed " 3% of the gross receipts;" and the City enacted this tax by Ordinance 99- 0-19; and -- 1 of 2 -- 126- R- 19 WHEREAS, the Adult Use Cannabis Tax is a new revenue source starting in 2020, the City seeks to dedicate this funding source to local reparations and the plans for this effort are ongoing and will be more fully developed in the coming year as well; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT: SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein as findings of the City Council of the City of Evanston, Illinois. SECTION 2: The Chief Financial Officer is hereby authorized to divert all adult use cannabis funds received by the Illinois Department of Revenue for sales of adult use cannabis to a separate fund in a City account for local reparations. SECTION 3: The City may receive donations to this fund from separate organizations, corporations, and individuals established herein by the City Council. SECTION 4: This Resolution 126- R- 19 is effective immediately. Attest: G 1Uaf are z i i5e" \'' 3 C1ef y\ Adopted: NoVe mbef ' i , 2019 w Approved as to form: X& I &- t4 Michelle L. Masoncup, Corp4ation Counsel 2- -- 2 of 2 --
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On June 5, 2019, the City of Evanston adopted Resolution 58-R-19, formally acknowledging its history of racial discrimination and structural racism, including policies such as redlining and municipal disinvestment in Black communities, and apologizing for the resulting harm. The resolution recognizes the city's historical role in violence against Native Americans and slavery, as well as the ongoing psychological and socioeconomic impacts of these practices on communities of color. The City Council declared its commitment to ending structural racism and achieving racial equity while standing against white supremacy.
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