CBCAC receives Illinois award for Chinatown as a state-designated cultural district

The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) is happy to announce that Chinatown has been designated as a State-Designated Cultural District! CBCAC is grateful for community organizations and leaders’ support in the application process. We are also thankful that community members are collectively investing in the future of Chinatown.

What does this mean?

Chinatown will be eligible for additional state resources as led by CBCAC to direct funding and programs for: Preservation of local businesses; Anti-displacement of residents; Affordable housing; Expanded economic opportunities; Transportation improvements, and more!

About the Chinatown Cultural District:

Chicago’s Chinatown is the second home to Chinese immigrants in the city, relocated from Clark and Van Buren in 1912, today’s Greater Chinatown Area (which includes Chinatown, Bridgeport, and McKinley Park) is home to over 26,000 Chinese Americans (based on Census 2020 numbers) and is the largest concentration of Asian Americans on the south side of the city. Chicago’s Chinatown is touted as one of the only growing Chinatowns in the United States as it continues to be a port of entry for new immigrants, a home to long term residents, and a tourist destination for Chicagoans and out-of-towners alike looking to experience Asian cuisine and Chinese culture. The Chinatown community has expanded south and west over the years, and its strong fabric of social service and nonprofit organizations ensures that it remains a livable and sustainable home to residents and newcomers. The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community successfully led a coalition of Chinatown organizations to gain recognition of Chinatown as one of the State-Designated Cultural Districts named by Gov. JB Pritzker in February 2024. The State Designated Cultural District is bounded by 17th Street to the north; Clark Street to the east, Wallace Street to the west, and 31st Street to the south and includes landmarks such as Ping Tom Memorial Park, the Chinatown Gate, Pui Tak Center (formerly On Leong Association), Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library, and the Chinese American Museum of Chicago.