Alderman: cannabis grant distribution is unfair

Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One of Springfield’s three Black aldermen is challenging his seven white colleagues to step up.

Ald. Shawn Gregory (pictured, left) said Tuesday the cannabis grant program comes with numerous hoops applicants must jump through – hoops which he says other grant programs do not require. Gregory referred specifically to criminal records and financial disclosures. Gregory wants to create a “1908 Race Riot Repair Commission” to examine the inequities he sees.

The irony, said citizen Ken Pacha, is that the program was designed to help the very people who find themselves shut out: Blacks and east siders. “It should embarrass all of you,” he told aldermen, “that we have to consider creating a commission to access money that was specifically earmarked to help a side of town that has been disenfranchised in a way that is almost indescribable.”

“If we truly, truly care about making our city better,” Gregory said, noting he and the other two Blacks on the council keep the subject of racial inequality visible. “When y’all going to stand up?”

Gregory sums up: “This system sucks for us.”