DOJ Intervenes in Evanston Reparations Lawsuit, Citing Constitutional Concerns

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a motion to intervene in *Flinn v. City of Evanston*, a federal suit challenging the city’s Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program. The DOJ alleges the race-based cash payments and housing assistance violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and the Fair Housing Act.

WFLD - Fox 32 - ChicagoNewsmax (website)U.S. Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Challenging Reparations Program in Evanston, IllinoisWashington Examiner

Evanston launched the reparations program in 2019 to address historic housing discrimination. It offers $25,000 in cash or equivalent housing assistance to Black residents who lived in the city as adults between 1919-1969 and to their direct descendants. A 2024 lawsuit by six non-Black descendants claims the race-based eligibility breaches constitutional and statutory protections.

WFLD - Fox 32 - Chicago

• 2019 – Program adopted.

Washington Examiner

• May 2024 – Judicial Watch files suit.

Department of Justice joins lawsuit against Evanston’s reparations program

• March 2026 – Judge denies city’s motion; DOJ opens investigation.

Feds join suit against city’s reparations program

• June 16 2026 – DOJ files motion to intervene; Acting AG Todd Blanche certifies public interest.

Feds join suit against city’s reparations program

Over $5 million has been paid; 137 of 141 eligible ancestors have received $3.47 million; six non-Black plaintiffs allege race-based exclusion.

WFLD - Fox 32 - Chicago

The case tests constitutional limits on race-based benefits and may shape future municipal reparations and Fair Housing Act interpretation.

Newsmax (website)

DOJ says the program distributes money based on race and calls it illegal. City spokesperson cites its position on legality. Mayor Daniel Biss says city is reviewing the filing and remains confident in its constitutionality. FirstRepair calls the DOJ move an “unfortunate escalation” and supports the program.

Feds join suit against city’s reparations program

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton called the program “blatantly unconstitutional” and praised the DOJ’s involvement as a fight against a “woke, racist program.”

Washington Examiner

Sources differ on the judge’s name—some cite Judge John Kress, others Judge John Kness. The city has not provided evidence linking the reparations to specific past discrimination, a point the DOJ highlights. Details on how the program’s funding and eligibility criteria are justified are absent from public filings.

Washington Examiner

• “Simply handing out money based on race, however, is not the answer. It is race discrimination, pure and simple. And it is illegal.” — Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division

The Independent

• “The Constitution demands that the government treat citizens as individuals, not as members of a racial class.” — Andrew S. Boutros, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois

U.S. Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Challenging Reparations Program in Evanston, Illinois

• “We stand behind our first-in-the-nation reparations program, are confident in its constitutionality, and look forward to defending it in court.” — Daniel Biss, Mayor of Evanston

Feds join suit against city’s reparations program

• “We welcome the court’s decision to allow this historic lawsuit to move forward against this woke, racist program,” — Tom Fitton, President, Judicial Watch

Department of Justice joins lawsuit against Evanston’s reparations program

• “The movement for reparations is, at its core, a movement for justice, accountability and the necessary repair of historical and ongoing harms that shape our nation’s landscape,” — FirstRepair, statement

The Independent