Harper Highlights History of Racial Violence in Illinois in New Report, Calls for Reparations

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is applauding a new report that lays out centuries of discrimination and racial violence against Black Illinoisans—a history that’s at the heart of the push for reparations today.

“Black Illinoisans have endured generations of devastating injustice,” Harper said. “While the law may no longer explicitly sanction discrimination, systemic inequities remain deeply embedded in our institutions. From jobs and education to housing, health care, public safety and economic opportunity, the disparities persist because the root causes were never fully addressed.”

In partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago, the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission compiled Taking Account: A History of Racial Harm & Injustice Against Black Illinoisans, which highlights persistent disparities across multiple sectors:

• Physical and Criminal Violence: Over 90 hate crimes targeting Black Illinoisans were recorded each year from 2022–2024. In 2023, Black women were nine times more likely to die from homicide than White women.
• Economic Inequality: The median income of a Black family is $40,000 less than that of a White family, and Black households have a median net worth over $100,000 less than White households. Unemployment among Black Illinoisans is three times higher than White residents.
• Housing Discrimination: Even today, Black applicants are less likely to qualify for conventional home loans, and Black residents are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than White residents.
• Education Gaps: Illinois has some of the most segregated public schools in the nation, with Black students facing lower funding and higher disciplinary rates. Only 24.6% of Black Illinois residents hold a college degree, compared to 41.4% of White residents.
• Health Inequities: Black Illinoisans face significantly higher rates of premature mortality, infant mortality, and reliance on Medicaid than White residents.
• Incarceration & Police Violence: Black Illinoisans are seven times more likely to be incarcerated than White residents. As recently as 2000, Black residents made up over60% of the incarcerated population despite being only 15% of the state’s population. In 2020, Black residents represented 14% of Illinois’ population but 60% of lethal encounters with law enforcement.

“This report makes clear that the harm is not just historical, it is ongoing,” Harper said. “Our responsibility now is to close the income and wealth gaps, expand fair access to housing, reduce incarceration disparities, strengthen our schools and address health inequities so every Illinoisan has the opportunity to thrive.”

The same law which created the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission requires its report to be delivered to the Illinois General Assembly and governor, who may use it to guide future policy decisions.