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Council committees endorse formal apologies and accept reparative‑justice report into record
Summary
Two resolutions passed out of committee: one apologizing to LaSalle Park neighborhood for historical racial discrimination and environmental harms, and another accepting the historical sections of the Reparative Justice Commission report and issuing a citywide apology; both were supported by neighborhood residents and advocates.
The Residential Neighborhoods Committee advanced two resolutions related to the Reparative Justice Commission’s work.
Bill 26‑16 is a focused apology resolution acknowledging the history of redlining, discriminatory lending and environmental harms that harmed LaSalle Park residents and offering a formal apology from the Common Council to affected families. Council sponsors said the resolution targets a specific neighborhood because of the concentration of harms there. Multiple residents and local advocates testified in favor during the public hearing, saying acknowledgment is an important first step toward repair.
Bill 26‑18 directs that the historical sections of the Reparative Justice Commission report be accepted into the official city record and contains a broader apology on behalf of the Common Council and the city to Black residents past and present for documented racial discrimination. Public commenters and council members described the 138‑page report as thorough and urged the council to place it on the public record to underpin future policy responses.
Both resolutions passed the committee with unanimous support (5–0) and will go to the full council. Supporters urged follow‑up action, public education, and intercommittee coordination to convert the report’s recommendations into policy and funding steps.
