JACL National and JACL Chicago Stand with the African American Community in Evanston, IL

July 7, 2026

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Lilly Simmering, JACL National Executive Director, lsimmering@jacl.org

Matthew Weisbly, JACL National Education Programs Manager, mweisbly@jacl.org

Ben Nishimura, JACL Chicago Chapter President, president@jaclchicago.org

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) stands in solidarity with the City of Evanston and the African American community in Evanston, IL, in supporting its Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program. The publicly funded program is meant to give reparations to members of the African American community with historical roots in Evanston, as a way to address historical housing discrimination in the city. 

Evanston’s reparations efforts stand as a national model for a first step in repairing the tangible harms of racism and discrimination that the African American community continues to experience. We encourage the DOJ and judiciary to honor a program developed by the City of Evanston to support its African American community and create a level playing field for its families and children.

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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.