Latino caucus features advice from nearly 100 panelists
From clean energy opportunities for small businesses to resources for parents of children with autism and racial profiling by local police departments, the topics of the sixth annual conference of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation were as varied and wide-ranging as ever.
Nearly 100 panelists, including academics, professionals and representatives of nonprofit organizations, gave presentations on issues in the areas of education, health, economy, energy, disabilities and seniors at the all-day conference Thursday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
The common denominator?
The theme of "influencing change" through an ever-growing Latino presence in both the private and public sectors, said state Sen. William Delgado, who co-chairs the foundation with state Rep. Edward Acevedo. Both are Democrats from Chicago. About 940 people attended the conference, which featured a luncheon speech by new Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
"This is intended to be both informational and productive," Delgado said. "It's an exchange between people and professionals in different fields, who can then bring their expertise to legislators."
Some of the panelists had general advice, such as Tom Wolf, executive director of the energy council of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. He exhorted local businesses to keep an eye on new "clean energy" plants planned throughout the state, such as the Prairie State Energy coal plant in downstate Lively Grove. The $4 billion project will create revenue for carpenters, furniture rental businesses, employment screening services, caterers and more, he said.
Attendees ranged from educators to social workers and senior citizen groups who wanted to either network or learn about useful programs - or both.
Eduardo Alvarez, an Illinois College Guide program adviser at Waukegan High School, was happy to find out about the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services program offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago. "I had heard of it but I didn't know it's independent of the university, and it's really all about increasing Latino enrollment at the university level," he said.