Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson recently announced his schedule for his first 100 days in office, which includes major plans for Chicago slavery reparations.

"Together, we will build a better, stronger, safer Chicago for the people. All the people," Johnson wrote in an April 13 Twitter post. "During the campaign we spoke to the hopes and aspirations of Chicagoans of all races and generations. We’re excited to do the work of translating those hopes into action."

According to the City of Chicago's Municipal code, city contractors currently "must complete an affidavit verifying that the contractor has searched any and all records of the company or any predecessor company regarding records of investments or profits from slavery or slaveholder insurance policies during the slavery era. The names of any slaves or slaveholders described in those records must be disclosed in the affidavit." A failure to comply with this means any contract with the city would be void.

Johnson is inviting everyone to a Town Hall meeting on May 24 at Malcolm X College, which will be run as a CWCRC Community Meeting. Topics of discussion will include “City of Chicago reparations history, updates, 2023-24 plans which include mayor Elect Brandon Johnson's 1st 100 day robust plan for reparations, choosing a selection committee and the 37 Conrad Worrill Community Reparation Commissioners application process.”

Tickets are free and available on a first come, first serve basis. Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission, the host organization, also will be accepting donations from attendees at the event to “help fuel reparations initiatives for the community not only in Chicago but throughout Illinois.”