Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, struggling with low approval ratings, announced the launch of a $500,000 taxpayer-funded task force to explore slavery reparations—exclusively for black residents. Johnson unveiled the initiative during his Juneteenth address, drawing sharp criticism from city leaders and residents over the race-specific program.
The new task force will investigate historical “harm” from slavery through present-day policies, aiming to deliver targeted “remedies.” According to the mayor’s office, the committee will examine housing subsidies, economic development for black-owned businesses, and race-based initiatives in health, education, and public safety. The task force also intends to conduct public hearings and collect personal stories from black residents.
Critics argue the mayor’s plan violates principles of equality and risks further dividing an already fractured city. Alderman Nick Sposato, a vocal opponent, labeled the program “too divisive,” questioning both the legality and fairness of using city funds for one racial group to the exclusion of others.
Johnson, who framed the move as an effort to “rectify decades of deliberate disinvestment,” claims the project is a cornerstone of his administration’s progressive platform. “Investing in blacks is not a crime,” Johnson said, defending the city’s pledge to confront what he called “a legacy of inequity.”
The program is part of a broader push by Johnson’s administration, which has redirected millions from existing services to support illegal immigrants—prompting outrage, particularly in black neighborhoods. Many residents have accused the mayor of prioritizing non-citizens over long-suffering communities that backed his campaign.
Recent polling reflects the discontent. Among black residents, Johnson’s approval sits at a meager 30 percent, with 28 percent disapproving and 43 percent expressing mixed views. The 2040 Strategy Group survey shows a dramatic erosion of trust, with community frustration centered on Johnson’s handling of crime, education, and migrant-related expenditures.
Though branded as a progressive milestone, the reparations task force’s future remains uncertain. Legal scholars have raised questions about the constitutionality of race-based public funding, and it remains unclear whether the city will attempt to implement any of the task force’s future recommendations.
Residents remain skeptical that the initiative will improve conditions on the ground. Many question how city leaders can prioritize ideologically driven programs while violent crime, financial mismanagement, and immigration chaos continue to plague Chicago’s neighborhoods.
