The authorities in the US city of Evanston, Illinois, were the first in the United States to approve funds to improve housing conditions for African-American families who have suffered in the past due to harassment and discrimination, the Chicago Tribune noted.

The money will be allocated from the reparations fund, which the local authorities created in 2019. This fund was originally intended to support African Americans living in Evanston in the 20th century and their descendants, who were forced to live in poor housing conditions due to oppression.

The Evanston authorities are expected to distribute $ 10 million over 10 years. The Fund for Reparations is funded by royalties from the sale of cannabis, the use and sale of which for recreational purposes has been legalized in Illinois since January 1, 2020.

On Monday, March 22, the initiative was approved by a majority vote: eight out of nine city councilors voted in favor.

According to the newspaper, this is the first time that the American authorities have approved the payment of reparations to citizens whose ancestors suffered due to racism and discrimination.