Justice Department Seeks to Join Evanston Reparations Lawsuit as City Vows to Defend Program

U.S. Department of Justice moved Tuesday to intervene in the federal lawsuit Flinn v. City of Evanston, which challenges the Illinois city's municipal reparations program. S.

District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit was originally filed by Judicial Watch in May 2024. Evanston’s reparations program provides housing-related benefits to certain Black residents and descendants of Black residents affected by past discriminatory housing policies.

The DOJ filing argues that the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the federal Fair Housing Act. The DOJ alleges that the City of Evanston declined to cooperate with a civil rights investigation after receiving a DOJ notice in March.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche personally certified that the case is one of public importance and authorized federal intervention.

Harmeet Dhillon stated: “There are sound ways for a city to remedy past discrimination or direct resources to its most vulnerable citizens and neighborhoods. Simply handing out money based on race, however, is not the answer. It is race discrimination, pure and simple.

U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros stated: “The Constitution demands that the government treat citizens as individuals, not as members of a racial class. ” A federal judge rejected Evanston’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit last month.

U.S. Attorney and an appointee of President Donald Trump. The program is Evanston’s municipal reparations initiative providing benefits based on race and ancestry.