In a major step toward racial justice, Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially opened the application process for Chicago’s Reparations Task Force—a first-of-its-kind effort to study the legacy of systemic harm against Black Chicagoans and chart a path toward repair.
Announced Wednesday in partnership with the Office of Equity and Racial Justice and the Aldermanic Black Caucus, the task force will play a central role in producing Chicago’s first comprehensive reparations study, scheduled for release next summer. The application deadline is May 20, 2025.
“This Reparations Task Force represents a pivotal moment in our city’s history and my administration’s ongoing pursuit to repair the generations of harm our people have endured,” said Mayor Johnson. “By bringing together diverse voices and expertise from across our communities, we are doing more than just studying the past—we are creating Chicago’s first comprehensive roadmap for reparations that will build a more equitable future that centers justice for all.”
The task force will include 40 members: 25 will be nominated by the Mayor’s Office and the Aldermanic Black Caucus, while the remaining 15 will be selected through this public application process. All applicants will fill out a short application aimed at ensuring diverse representation across backgrounds, lived experiences, and areas of expertise.
The initiative is backed by a $500,000 investment from the city’s 2024 budget. Members of the task force will be compensated for their time and are expected to serve for one year following their first meeting. Their mission is clear: to study, document, and recommend policies that repair harm done to Black residents in areas ranging from housing and education to public safety and economic opportunity.
“This work is not only essential for Black communities—it is foundational to Chicago’s future,” said Carla Kupe, the city’s Chief Equity Officer. “When Black Chicagoans access opportunity and reclaim agency over their lives, the impact resonates across our entire city.”
The announcement also draws on Chicago’s long-standing leadership in the national reparations movement. From former Alderman Dorothy Tillman’s efforts in the early 2000s to the continued advocacy of community groups like the Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission, local leaders say the city is ready to move from acknowledgment to action.
“Together, we are not just making history—we are correcting it,” said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), who chairs the Aldermanic Black Caucus. “Chicago has led the nation in advancing justice and equity.”
Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th), also a task force supporter, underscored the personal and moral significance of the moment.
“As a descendant of chattel slavery, it is a profound honor to lead this vital work,” Yancy said. “The Reparations Task Force and Study is more than a policy initiative — it is a moral obligation.”
The task force’s mandate includes the following responsibilities:
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Define what Black reparations means in the specific context of Chicago;
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Identify key areas of harm for redress (e.g., housing, policing, incarceration, education, health, and economic development);
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Contribute to and amplify public testimonials and personal narratives to include within the report;
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Review policies and practices that have led to structural inequities;
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Help develop recommendations and remedies for reparative action;
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Attend community engagement sessions and public hearings;
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Attend 90-minute Task Force monthly meetings;
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Review relevant materials to inform decision-making and recommendations;
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Support the development of Chicago’s Reparations Study.
Applications are now live and can be submitted here. For questions, residents are encouraged to email: equity.opportunities@cityofchicago.org.
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