Mexican community to celebrate heritage in West Chicago

The city of West Chicago does not hide its pride in its diversity. With a large Hispanic population, it's only natural that the city's newsletter is translated into Spanish.

Hispanic-centered shops dot the downtown business district.

And Sunday, the community's second Mexican Independence Day Parade will open a daylong celebration that will include live music, a craft fair and children's activities. The parade starts downtown at noon and the celebration is expected to last till 9 p.m.

"We want the community to celebrate with the city," said Valeria Perez, the city's public information officer. "We want to let them know that they are able to celebrate their heritage and not to be afraid to celebrate."

Perez says she has worked as a sort of liaison to the Hispanic community for years, translating the newsletter and walking around the community passing out copies.

She said one challenge has been connecting with residents who may not know how to get involved in local government. Many, she said, can be wary of the government's intentions.

"It's important for them to feel comfortable and be at a comfort level where they know the government is trying to inform them of what is going on and be more involved," she said.

After flooding washed away the city's first attempt at the celebration in 2008, the festivities went off without a hitch last year. The celebration had been run by community members before the city stepped in to sponsor the event.

"They could not get as many volunteers as in the previous years," Perez said. "So the city decided to take a hold of it."

For Perez, the effort on the parade committee is a personal affair. Her Mexican heritage made it a perfect fit for her to join the parade and promote the event - while also giving her a chance to help the city's Hispanic community become more engaged in the area.

"It's so they know what's going on and how they can be involved in being part of the events we have," she said. "But it's also being a part of committees and commissions in the city. They need to know that their government is there and there is nothing wrong with asking questions."