In this Juneteenth episode, Helen Neville speaks with Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons about reparations as a process of repair, healing, historical truth, and self-determination. The conversation explores the legal foundations of reparations, the relationship between public policy and racial justice, the importance of restoring memory and ancestry, and concrete ways listeners can engage in reparative justice.

ABOUT THE GUEST

State Representative Carol Ammons is serving her sixth term representing Illinois' 103rd District, proudly serving the communities of Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding region. A lifelong activist and accomplished legislator, Rep. Ammons has dedicated her career to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for all Illinoisans. She made history as the first African American woman elected to represent the 103rd District, and she continues to be a steadfast advocate for her constituents and a leading voice on issues of racial justice, economic equity, environmental sustainability, higher education, and community well-being.

With nearly 15 years of elected public service spanning county, municipal, and state government, Rep. Ammons brings the perspective of both a grassroots organizer and an experienced policymaker. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting social change requires strong partnerships between community organizers and elected officials. Throughout her legislative career, she has championed transformative policies that expand opportunity, remove systemic barriers, and strengthen communities across Illinois.

Committee Assignments

• Chair, Energy & Environment Committee
• Appropriations – Higher Education
• Economic Opportunity & Equity
• Ethics & Elections
• Higher Education
• Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertainment
• Personnel & Pensions

Task Forces and Commissions

• Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Task Force
• Commission on Equitable Public University Funding
• Mahomet Aquifer Council
• Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices Final Report Implementation Task Force
• Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct Climate Surveys
• Task Force on Higher Education in Prisons

REPARATIONS INITIATIVES

• First Repair National organization supporting state and local reparations initiatives and hosting the National Symposium on State and Local Reparations.
• H.R. 40 Federal bill to establish a commission to study and develop reparations proposals.
• S.40 Senate companion legislation on reparations.
• California Reparations Task Force Report Landmark report and recommendations.
• Evanston Reparations Nation's first publicly funded municipal reparations program.
• New York State Reparations Commission Information on New York's reparations commission.
• Asheville Community Reparations Local reparations initiative.
• TAKIR (The African Kinship and Identity Reconstruction Project) Illinois genealogy initiative that reconnects African descendants with family histories.

SELECTED REPARATIONS GROUPS

• N'COBRA (National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America)
• Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM)
• CARICOM Reparations Commission
• National Reparations Network

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

• Learn about reparations efforts in your own community.
• Attend the National Symposium on State and Local Reparations.
• Support state and local reparations legislation.
• Read scholarship on reparative justice and African American history.
• Engage elected officials about reparative policies.
• Support organizations advancing healing, historical truth, and self-determination.

STAY IN TOUCH!

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EPISODE CREDITS

Music: Amir Maghsoodi and Briana Williams

Podcast Artwork: B. Andi Lee & Amir Maghsoodi

Episode Intro/Outro: Helen Neville

Episode Production: Helen Neville and Salman Safir

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

bit.ly/LibNowE20