Issuance of formal apology from City Council to Black citizens of Chicago for historical injustices of slavery
- Record number: R2025-0015728
- Type: Resolution; category: Committee/Public Hearings
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Robinson, Lamont J.
- Committee: Committee on Health and Human Relations
- Introduced: Feb 26, 2025
- Final action: Sep 25, 2025
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Roll call: Adopted Sep 25, 2025
43 yea, 4 nay, 1 absent. This was a divided vote. On motion of Alderperson Ramirez, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the resolution was Adopted. Voted at the City Council meeting of Sep 25, 2025.
Nay (4): Raymond A. Lopez (15), Nicholas Sposato (38), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), James M. Gardiner (45)
Yea (40): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)
Absent (1): Derrick G. Curtis (18)
Not voting (2): William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35)
Former members who voted: Jeylu B. Gutierrez (Yea), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Yea), Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (Yea)
Plain-language summary
Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: R2025-0015728...W4 Robinson update.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
The Chicago City Council passed a resolution formally apologizing to Black residents for the harms caused by slavery, segregation, and systemic racism. The Council acknowledges the city’s history, the lasting effects on Black communities, and calls for actions to repair the damage.
- The Council officially apologizes to Black citizens for historical injustices.
- It acknowledges Chicago’s origins with a Black founder and the legacy of slavery and Black Codes.
- The resolution notes ongoing racial disparities in wealth, health, education, and opportunity.
- It urges the City and State to pursue policy reforms, economic investment, and community initiatives for equity.
- The apology is presented as a step toward truth, reconciliation, and future justice.
Who: Black citizens of Chicago are the primary group addressed and benefitted by the apology.
Where: Chicago
Timeline
- Feb 26, 2025: Referred, City Council
- Sep 24, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Health and Human Relations
- Sep 25, 2025: Adopted, City Council
Documents
- R2025-0015728...W4 Robinson update.pdf (Legislation)
- CHHR_Transmittal_R2025-0015728.pdf (Committee Letter)