Jussie Smollett Closes Chapter in Legal Battle with $50,000 Donation to Chicago Youth Arts Center

Former TV Star Resolves Civil Lawsuit by Supporting Underserved Communities

Jussie Smollett, the former television actor known for his role in the drama series Empire, has reached a financial settlement with the city of Chicago, bringing an end to a years-long legal dispute that began in 2019. As part of the agreement, Smollett will donate $50,000 to a local nonprofit serving underprivileged youth, signaling a shift from courtroom conflict to community contribution.

The Legal Background

The legal battle stems from an incident in January 2019, when Smollett reported being the victim of a racially and homophobically motivated attack near his apartment in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago. However, after an extensive investigation, police concluded that the attack had been staged and charged Smollett with filing a false report.

Smollett was convicted in 2021, but the conviction was overturned in 2023 by the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled that retrying him violated his constitutional protection against double jeopardy. The ruling dismissed the criminal case, but the civil lawsuit filed by the city of Chicago remained active.

The Civil Lawsuit and Settlement

Shortly after his 2019 arrest, the city sued Smollett to recoup more than $130,000 it claimed was spent on police resources during the investigation. Smollett, in turn, filed a countersuit, asserting that he was the target of malicious prosecution and maintained that the attack against him was real.

This legal tug-of-war continued for over four years. In April 2025, federal court records indicated a settlement had been reached, though terms remained private at the time. On Thursday, city officials confirmed the agreement: Smollett will donate $50,000 to the Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, a Chicago-based organization that offers creative, educational, and wellness programs for underserved youth.

A Statement of Intent and Reflection

In a statement released Friday, Smollett said the donation reflects his enduring support for marginalized communities in Chicago. “Making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support,” he wrote.

He added that Building Brighter Futures was chosen personally by him, calling the nonprofit “an organization doing incredible work nurturing self-expression, creativity, and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth.”

In addition to the settlement-related donation, Smollett announced a separate contribution of $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, which provides support and advocacy for individuals impacted by police violence and misconduct. He described the additional gift as a tribute to those who, unlike himself, lack the resources to defend their innocence in the justice system.

Closing a Six-Year Chapter

City representatives described the resolution as fair and constructive, highlighting the mutual desire to bring closure to a contentious and highly publicized case. A spokesperson from the city’s Law Department emphasized that the settlement allows “all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward.”

For many observers, the saga surrounding Smollett's case became a flashpoint in the national conversation about race, justice, celebrity, and public trust. The conclusion of the civil suit, marked by a charitable act rather than another trial, may help pivot the focus toward healing and community impact.

The Community Wins

While the legal drama surrounding Jussie Smollett may be ending, its final note strikes a hopeful chord. A $50,000 donation to uplift young people through art, coupled with support for victims of systemic injustice, signals that some good can emerge even from the most complicated and controversial cases. For the communities these organizations serve, this settlement could mean new opportunities, creative expression, and a chance to thrive.

Smollett’s closing words reflect that aspiration: “There will be at least one winner from this experience.”