Latest NewsForcing the Vote
Black Caucuses and Reparations Bills in Other States: New York, Illinois, Maryland and More
California is not alone. Statehouse Black caucuses are pushing reparations commissions and bills — and running into the same leadership and governor walls.
Forcing the Vote · Part 3 of 5
California is the farthest along, but it is not alone. In statehouses across the country, Black caucuses are the ones introducing reparations bills — and facing the same leadership and governor problems.
Which states have Black caucuses working on reparations?
Most states with a sizable Black population have a legislative Black caucus. They are connected nationally through the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), which represents more than 700 Black state lawmakers.
| State | Where it stands | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| California | Apology, bureau and lineage research are law; no payments | Whether a compensation bill reaches the floor |
| New York | Created a reparations study commission in 2023 | The commission's findings and whether lawmakers act on them |
| Illinois | Created an African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission in 2023 | Follow-through funding; Evanston's local program is the state's best-known example |
| Maryland | Lawmakers passed a reparations commission bill; Gov. Wes Moore vetoed it in 2025 | Override efforts and a revived bill |
| New Jersey | A reparations task force bill has been introduced for years without a final vote | Whether leadership schedules it |
| Other states | Bills and resolutions in several legislatures | Check the Legislation Tracker |
Statuses change between sessions. Always confirm a bill's current status on the state legislature's official website.
What do these fights have in common?
- A study first, money later. Almost every state starts with a commission. The test is whether a commission leads to a payment bill.
- Governors matter. Maryland shows that even a Democratic governor can veto a reparations bill.
- Lineage vs. race. Caucuses that adopt a lineage standard — descent from people enslaved in the U.S. — have a stronger legal footing.
How do I find my state's caucus?
Search "[your state] Legislative Black Caucus" or check your legislature's caucus page. The NBCSL member directory lists Black lawmakers by state. Your own legislator is the first call — even if they aren't a caucus member, their vote counts.
Frequently asked questions
Which states are considering reparations?
California, New York, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey are among the states with reparations commissions or bills. New York and Illinois created commissions in 2023; Maryland's governor vetoed a commission bill in 2025.
The bottom line
Each state is a separate path to repair. Wins in one statehouse give caucuses in the others a model bill — and they build pressure on Washington, covered in Part 4.
See the receipts · 4 primary sources
Civic action dispatch
Now act on it
A debt documented is not yet a debt collected. See it, prove it, force it.
- 01Federal + state bills
Step 01 · Monitor
Track the bills
Follow active reparations measures in Congress and the states.
Open tracker - 023,142 counties
Step 02 · Document
Verify the receipts
Find slave schedules, Freedmen's records and land deeds in your county.
Search your county - 03Scripts + caucuses
Step 03 · Mobilize
Organize your district
Call your lawmaker, reach your Black Caucus and start a local group.
Get the playbook
Priority action · 30 seconds
Call your state lawmaker today
Copy the script, then find your representative's number on the community page.
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