Chicago suburb, Evanston gets approved for 2020 Reparations plan

An Evanston, Illinois Aldermen is making sure that African-Americans receive some type of reparations from the legal sale of recreational marijuana. Aldermen Robin Rue Simmons, of the 5th ward, proposed a plan to direct all sales tax revenue collected from recreational marijuana purchases into an account that will allow for reparations locally, and this week, it was approved.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the program’s goal is to help Evanston’s Black population stay in the city and will also offer job training and other benefits.

“We can implement funding to directly invest in Black Evanston,” said Ald. Robin Rue Simmons.

— Illinois city plans reparations fund for Black residents using cannabis revenue

In Illinois, where the state Legislature easily approved the sale of recreational marijuana this past spring, some communities have been hesitant to allow businesses in their own backyards, particularly in the suburbs, as reported in USA Today. While Chicago plans to allow cannabis sales, some suburban local precincts have decided to opt-out.

The suburb of Evanston and its’ leaders are using this local reparations program as an opportunity to tackle the ongoing outcomes of institutional slavery and discrimination against Blacks.

Alderman Simmons also saw this as an opportunity to correct the wrongs done against Black residents of Evanston that may have been incarcerated due to the “war on drugs” and spent time behind bars for smoking marijuana which is now recreationally legal in Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The tax on marijuana will “be invested in the community it unfairly policed and damaged,” Simmons said.

— New push for racial equality for Black entrepreneurs in the marijuana trade

A local committee of residents will now examine how the money should be allocated and best practices of supporting the Black community through housing, education, and economic incentives.

According to the City of Evanston staff reports the fund will have a cap of $10 million, with the city projecting to make $500,000 to $750,000 annually in marijuana sales tax.

“I support the approval of the ordinance for the city of Evanston to commit all of the anticipated tax revenue from the recreational marijuana businesses, to support work aimed at intentionally repairing harms done to the Black community from policies and practices in so many different areas,” said Oliver Ruff, a retired teacher and Evanston resident.

Simmons’ proposal was the aftermath of a decrease in Evanston’s black population, from 22.5% of the population in 2000 to 16.9% in 2017, according to U.S. Census data.

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Kamala Harris’ aide resigns in letter outlining a troubled campaign

Sen. Kamala Harris’ presidential race to the White House may be in jeopardy. A resignation letter from one of Harris’ former campaign staffers describes her campaign as slightly chaotic for workers, lacking direction, and “no real plan to win” with the Iowa caucus just around the corner in 2020.

The resignation letter obtained by the New York Times, was from former state operations manager Kelly Mehlenbacher. In addition to writing the letter, Mehlenbacher’s letter and claims were also verified by more than 50 current and former campaign staffers and allies of the campaign, according to Independent.

— Kamala Harris proposes doubling mental health treatment beds

The letter, dated Nov. 11, specifies how the campaign at many times used flawed strategies like targeting the wrong candidates in debates, giving focus to the wrong states, and even the wrong type of candidates.

“While I still believe Senator Harris is the strongest candidate. I have never seen an organisation treat its staff so poorly … I no longer have confidence in our campaign or its leadership. The treatment of our staff over the last two weeks was the final straw,” Mehlenbacher said.

She also expressed how disappointed she was in making staffers move the campaign headquarters from Washington DC to Baltimore, Maryland, “only to lay them off without notice”. She described the situation as “unacceptable”. Then stating there was “no plan for the campaign” and the decision was made without thoughtful consideration of the personal consequences to them or the consequences that their absence would have on the remaining staff.”

“Neither the campaign manager or the chair” addressed the staff “to explain, apologize or reassure” the staffers that still remained on board, according to Independent.

— Sen. Kamala Harris introduces bill that extends kids’ school day to 6pm

Harris hasn’t only received kickback from former staffers and allies but also from the polls for her lack of a clear health care plan, and for not rolling out a clear criminal justice plan, in addition to answering questions about her past as a prosecutor.

“Because we have refused to confront our mistakes, foster an environment of critical thinking, and honest feedback, or trust the expertise of talented staff, we find ourselves making the same unforced errors over and over”, the letter reads.

— Kamala Harris campaign cuts headquarters staff, moves some to Iowa

According to the Independent, this division is due to decisions made by leadership. Harris’ sister, Maya Harris, directs her campaign, making it hard for constructive criticism and feedback of the candidate to happen.

Harris’ campaign has also taken a dive financially from $12  million in the beginning of 2019 dropping down to $11 million by the close of the year.

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