ILLINOIS AFRICAN DESCENT-CITIZENS REPARATIONS COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING IN CHICAGO

Event will address lasting harms of slavery and paths to repair

through featured expert speakers and public testimony

CHICAGO - The State of Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC) will convene a public hearing in Chicago to advance statewide efforts toward reparative justice for Black Illinoisans descended from American Slavery. The hearing will be held at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center on April 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. A livestream will be available on the ADCRC YouTube page: www.YouTube.com/@IllinoisADCRC.

The hearing will center around the Taking Account harms report, which the Commission released in February. Produced in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago: Institute for Research on Race & Public Policy, this report documents how the enduring legacy of slavery has produced lasting economic, social, mental, and physical harms for Black Illinoisans across generations. Drawing from historical archives and community perspectives, it details the cumulative impact of harms across housing, education, health, public safety, and economic opportunity that continue to plague nearly every aspect of life for Illinois descendants of slavery.

"Grounded in the findings of the Taking Account report, our April public hearing will create a space for all Illinoisans to learn from experts and share lived experiences to help shape the Commission's recommendations on reparations for our state," said ADCRC Chairman Marvin Slaughter, Jr. "These conversations connect our shared history to present-day realities to build a strong foundation for how we move forward."

Featured speakers Clayola Brown, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Brooks, Dr. William A. Darity Jr., and A. Kirsten Mullen, along with other community speakers, will join the commission to discuss topics of the harms report. These topics will include the racial wealth gap, the role of religious imperatives, and the economic impact of stolen labor.

Additionally, the ADCRC encourages members of the public to participate and share their insights and experiences during the public remarks segment. This engagement is crucial for informing and shaping future policies that will benefit Illinois residents who are descendants of American chattel slaves.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. CST

Location: DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center

740 East 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois 60637

Livestream the public hearing at www.youtube.com/@IllinoisADCRC. The public can RSVP and learn more at adcrc.illinois.gov/events.

Members of the media planning to attend should RSVP to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on April 24, 2026.

Discounted parking is available at the University of Chicago Medical Parking Garage B at 5631 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

About ADCRC

The African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission is a State of Illinois-appointed commission committed to advancing equity and opportunity for African Americans with lineage to the American Slave Trade. The Commission was created to research Illinois' historical involvement in slavery and its enduring impact, and developing legislative recommendations to promote restoration and reparative justice. ADCRC's mission is to prioritize preserving and strengthening historically Black communities, fostering economic empowerment through vocational training and workforce development, ensuring equitable access to state contracting, and advancing accountability through the Illinois Slavery Era Disclosure Bill.