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Yvonne Nieves
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Jeanne Theresa Newman
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Email: jnewman (at) communityrenewalsociety.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2008

Press Release

Immigrant integration successful in some suburbs, not in others Chicago’s six-county region plays catch-up when addressing needs of foreign-born residents

CHICAGO – In the last 18 years Chicago’s suburbs have become ports of entry for immigrants, forcing the six-county region to address the issue of immigrant integration. The Chicago Reporter surveyed 31 suburban communities, whose foreign-born population doubled to 366,567 since 1990, to determine their response to the needs of this growing population. Overall, foreign-born residents make up 21 percent of the total population in those suburbs and nearly 30 percent of households speak a language other than English at home.

The Chicago Reporter survey found that:

* Five communities do not translate any of their documents, including newsletters, permits or ordinances.

* 14 have local entities that monitor immigrant rights and housing issues within the immigrant community.

* While all communities employ bilingual officers in their police departments, only two require language or cultural training for police officers.

* Evanston and Aurora are the only two communities that have elected foreign-born residents to municipal councils; seven do not have any foreign-born residents in elected or appointed positions.

Immigrants targeted unfairly in suburbs
Some communities are perceived as being unfriendly to immigrants and have become synonymous with cities like Hazelton, PA.

* While Mayor Richard Hyde of Waukegan has stated that the city “is not in the immigration business” and is not interested in deporting undocumented immigrants, some advocates believe police maybe targeting immigrants. Back in the mid-90’s, the city settled claims with the U.S. Department of Justice, which found that code enforcement officials targeted Latinos by restricting how many family members could live in a house.

* Carpenter’s village proposals prohibiting landlords from renting and employers from hiring undocumented workers in 2006 became the focus of a 8,000-word cover story in The New York Times Magazine.

Best Practices

While all municipalities have yet to adopt comprehensive in integration policies, several have implemented inclusive programs:

* Addison began a pilot initiative that promoted discussions on diversity.

* Local police in Hoffman Estates host cultural festivals and events to foster dialogue with residents outside of emergency situations.

* Naperville helped to support the Taste of Chinese with city funds.

* Immigrants in Aurora have been increasingly applying for citizenship. Some advocates attribute Democratic Congressman Bill Foster’s successful election to the participation of these new citizens in the electoral process.

Advocates say that, in the end, political empowerment will lead to more progressive approaches to integration that are more sensitive to the needs of a diverse immigrant population. Jacqueline Herrera, Director of Legalization at the Chicago-based Instituto del Progreso Latino and daughter of El Salvadorian immigrant parents says it best: “The only way change is going to happen is through a political avenue."





The Chicago Reporter is published by the Community Renewal Society. The Reporter is an award-winning bimonthly print and online newsmagazine that serves as a watchdog of government and other institutions. . Community Renewal Society empowers people to build just communities by working to eradicate racism and poverty. It does so by informing, organizing, training, and encouraging individuals and communities in sustained and strategic efforts to engender systemic change. For more information, visit The Chicago Reporter online at www.chicagoreporter.com.

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