Credit: Richard Cahan

Different reactions Thursday night as 454 direct descendants of Black residents were placed in order for payment by Evanston’s Reparations Committee. Each family will receive $25,000 of city money – but over a period of months, as funds become available. A computer determined who would be paid first: the lower the number, the quicker the payment. David McCoy (right), son of Doris and Henry McCoy, was chosen No. 2. Stephanie Wideman Hedley (left) and her nephew Terrance Wideman (center), descendants of Margaret and James Wideman, were assigned No. 405.

Money has been set aside for all 454 who proved they were offspring of Black residents who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969. About 200 people filled the Evanston Township High School auditorium to watch as numbers were assigned.

All the numbers were selected simultaneously by a computer and shown on the screen at the front of the auditorium.

“My parents would be ecstatic,” said David McCoy, who said his mother moved to Evanston in the 1940s. He hopes to buy property.

For a full story on the meeting, click here.

Richard Cahan takes photos for the Evanston RoundTable. He also is publisher of CityFiles Press, a small but mighty media company that believes in the power of words and pictures. You can reach him at...

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  2. I am a descent of Evanston I’m 86 years old my mother grandmother and great grandparents were here before I was born ! No more applications!not right

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