Chicago’s Reparations Effort Stalled By Lawmakers Who Reject Slavery Apology

Months after Chicago initiated a notable effort to assess slavery reparations, the City Council overwhelmingly approved a resolution apologizing to Black residents for the injustices faced by their ancestors amid systemic racism. However, dissent from four council members sparked anger among Black representatives. "Shame on you!" exclaimed Alderman Lamont Robinson after Aldermen Raymond Lopez, Nick Sposato, Anthony Napolitano, and James Gardiner rejected his proposed resolution, which formally apologized for slavery, segregation, and racial inequality policies.Support from Mayor Brandon Johnson fortified the resolution, which passed with a vote of 43-4 on September 25. Alderman Maria Hadden expressed disappointment over the lack of unanimous backing. Sposato, rejecting responsibility for past wrongs, reiterated his disassociation from the resolution, while Lopez argued that Chicago's economy did not stem from slavery. Echoing these sentiments, Napolitano criticized the administration's funding priorities, alleging neglect of communities in favor of supporting migrants. In tandem, a reparations task force is exploring fitting reparative actions, informed by community testimonies, with a report due by June 2026.

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