>>> THIS WEEK THE SENSE OFTON CITY COUNCIL MADE A CHANGE TO THE GROUND BREAKING REPARATIONS PROGRAMS ENACTING A $25,000 PAYMENT MEANT TO ADDRESS DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING LAWS IF A EXISTED FOR DECADES.

THE PAYMENT OF $25,000 WAS FOR HOUSING BENEFITS LIKE MORTGAGES ASSISTANCE OR RENOVATIONS.

BUT ON MONDAY, THE EVANSTON CITY COUNCIL PASSED WITHOUT ANY OPPOSITION AN EXPANSION TO PROVIDE $25,000 IN NO STRINGS ATTACHED DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE.

>> THE HISTORICALLY BLACK STILL PREDOMINANTLY BLACK TODAY HAS NO ACCESS TO NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL.

STRIPPED OF A HOSPITAL.

STILL NO ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS.

>> ROBIN RUTH SIMONS AN IS FORMER MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SITS ON THE CITY'S REPARATIONS COMMITTEE.

SHE FOUNDED FIRST REPAIR.

A GROUP THAT FIGHTS FOR REPARATIONS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.

>> BEFORE WE EVEN SEE THE DATA, WE ARE LIVING IN THE CONDITIONS OF ANTIBLACKNESS IN EVANSTON.

>> FROM 1919, TO 1969, THERE WERE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT LIMITED BLACK RESIDENTS' ABILITY TO LIVE IN EVANSTON OTHER THAN THE FIFTH WARD WHERE THEY OFTEN FACED SUBSTANDARD DWELLING.

BLACK FAMILIES HOMES WERE RELOCATED IN SOME CASES.

BOBBY BURNS, A COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTS THE FIFTH WARD SAYS THE DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS GIVE MORE OPTIONS TO RECIPIENTS.

>> PEOPLE CAN USE IT AS THEY SEE FIT.

THEY CAN USE IT FOR HOME REHAB, TO PAY OFF THE INTEREST ON THE MORTGAGE OR THEY CAN USE IT FOR GROCERIES OR USE IT TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLES.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSING BEN VETS ARE AVAILABLE, BURNES SAYS THERE'S A PLENTY PROCESS FOR RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS.

>> IT INVOLVES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, CONTRACTORS, IT INVOLVES THE WORK NEEDING TO BE PERFORMED ITSELF PLUS THE PLANNING THAT GOES INTO IT.

LONG PROCESS.

>> Reporter: 16 RESIDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE CURRENT HOUSING BENEFITS PROGRAM.

YET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF APPLICANTS THAT THE CITY STILL NEEDS TO VET.

>> WE CANNOT GET THE DOLLARS OUT TO OUR BLACK COMMUNITIES SOON ENOUGH.

>> TRANSFERRING $25,000 INTO SOMEONE'S ACCOUNT, NOT A LONG PROCESS.

>> Reporter: WHY PUT CASH DIRECTLY INTO POOL'S POCKETS?

AVOW KITS SAY THE RECIPIENTS SHOULD DETERMINE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REPARATIONS.

>> WHAT COST TOUTS CONSTITUTES WHAT REPARATION IS THE HARMED COMMUNITY GETS TO DETERMINE WHAT REPAIR LOOKS LIKE THEM AND IT'S DIFFICULT WHEN RESTRICTED TO A USE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT WE DON'T PRESCRIBE WHAT REPARATION IT IS