Today in Chicago History: Evanston approves reparations spending
By Kori Rumore
Published on March 22, 2026.
The War Assets Administration handed over the 1,080-acre site to the city of Chicago, while keeping 200 acres of land for storage by the U.S. Army. The city began condemnation proceedings to acquire additional property, which included 2,300 lots, 63 farms, a small cemetery, a golf course, county school land, and two county schools. The site, now named Chicago Orchard (Douglas) Airport, was expanded to 3,280 acres in 1947 and later annexed by the city ten years later. In 1921, Evanston became the first city in the US to make reparations available to its Black residents for past discrimination and the lingering effects of slavery. The $10 million program was funded through marijuana sales tax revenue and donations.
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