Companies could be required to pay reparations in Illinois under new plan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Tuesday, in the state capitol, a coalition of Black representatives and organizations combined forces in support of a proposed plan that would bring reparations to the descendants of chattel slavery. Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) this is just a small step to repay Black Americans. Mike Miletich If companies would like a state contract in Illinois, they would have to declare if their corporation benefited from chattel slavery. If they did, the company would then have to pay reparations under the new bill. Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) has been fighting for reparation bills since she was elected, saying it’s about time the benefactors of slavery start paying what’s due to Black Americans. “We’ve waited long enough, we’ve waited our turn in line long enough,” Harper said. “I’m here like to say like the rest of us enough is enough. Enough excuses, enough delays, enough broken promises.” Evanston Ill. was the first city in the U.S. to begin a reparations program for its Black citizens, receiving $25,000 per person. The money earned went straight to the people, where they spent their money on essential services such as mortgage payments or buying a car. Co-sponsor of the bill Rep....