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CHAMPAIGN-URBANA REPARATIONS COALITION
In recognition of the historic and ongoing harms caused by systemic racism and discrimination, we are a local coalition of volunteers who work towards creating a more just and equitable society for African American people.
We've been busy! Join us in our mission to advocate for reparations and push for real change.
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We began in May 2023. Our local group is inspired by Robin Rue Simmons of Evanston, IL, who led the passage of the first city-funded program of reparations to African Americans. In November 2023, we brought Ms. Simmons here to speak. Over 200 people attended.
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Our mission is to foster a community that acknowledges the historical injustices and systemic disparities faced by African American people. We are committed to education, awareness, and activism. Our goal is action.
Dr. Jeffrey Trask, founder and president of our group, is also the Midwest Regional Lead of First Repair, a nationally recognized reparations organization founded by Robin Rue Simmons in Evanston, Illinois.
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Dr. Trask was also appointed by Governor Pritzker to the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC), a state-based reparations commission assigned to investigate harms done to African Americans in Illinois and make reparations-related recommendations towards addressing those harms.
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Jeff also attended the United Nations Fourth Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in New York City in April 2025, as a representative of First Repair. He produced a video after his return. Watch it here!
Thanks to a grant from the Mckinley Foundation in Champaign to the CU Reparations Coalition, Dr. Jeff Trask was able to travel to Washington, DC in May 2025 to attend the National Reparations Rally. Thank you McKinley, and thanks Jeff, for always showing up!
Congratulations to the leaders of the Reparations Movement in Illinois, including the president of C-U Reparations Coalition, Dr. Jeff Trask, pictured at left. In a ceremony hosted by the Chicago City Council on February 19, 2025, these dedicated folks were honored for their brave commitments. This event marked Reparations Awareness Day (February 25) and the hard work of pushing for tangible reparative measures.
We were pleased to be a recipient of a 2025 Healing Illinois grant, which has helped us ramp up our educational efforts toward political action.
Please click here to take one result, our survey on reparations attitudes.
Reparations Little Library
As an institutional member of the Independent Media Center, The CU Reparations Coalition has added a little library at the Center's front entrance.
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Our library is from the CURC education team, the design is by Ku Wilson, and it was painted communally. The library is meant to be enjoyed by the community, but only stocked by CURC. Take materials to learn and share! And please return them if you can.
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The African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC) is a state-based reparations commission that investigates harms done to African Americans in Illinois. In the spring of 2026, the Commission released a harms report and is now formulating recommendations towards addressing those harms.
In 2024, our president, Jeff Trask, was appointed by Governor Pritzker to the Commission. Our coalition has also cosponsored and coordinated events with ADCRC, such as a public hearing held on the University of Illinois campus in October 2025, which you can watch here.
As a major force in the reparations movement, First Repair has provided support to more than 100 communities engaged in local initiatives; established the National Symposium for State and Local Reparations; built four regional networks with local leadership hosting monthly strategy sessions; and launched the National Resource Center for State and Local Reparations in Evanston, IL.
CURC's President Trask is the Midwest Regional Leader for First Repair, and in 2025, as the organization's representative, he attended the United Nations Fourth Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in New York City.