2019 State of Chinatown

Community leaders come together for a photo at the end of the event. Most of these leaders presented as well.

Community leaders come together for a photo at the end of the event. Most of these leaders presented as well.

We started the fall with our “State of Chinatown” forum on September 23 featuring 20 presentations from appointed and elected government officials, business leaders, social service agency executives, school principals, and faith leaders. They shared information about recent successes, projects, programs, and policies affecting the Chinese American community.

Over 150 community members came together to learn about: government programs and commitments from our elected representatives to serve Chinese and Asian Americans; ongoing efforts and upcoming projects of local organizations to improve quality of life in our community, such as the Chinatown library opening on Sundays in 2020; new developments, like The 78 and the proposed Chicago casino site, that will affect Chinatown residents; and community-wide issues, such as Census 2020, casinos, affordable housing, and homelessness. Everyone left with the sense that many people and organizations are working together to strengthen the community. 

Presenters included: Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce; Chicago Metropolitan Association for Planning; Chicago Metropolitan Planning Council; Chicago Department of Transportation; Chinese American Museum of Chicago; Chinese American Service League; Chinatown Branch, Chicago Public Library; Chinatown Parking Corporation; Chinatown CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy); Coalition for a Better Chinese; American Community; Fujian Business Association; Project: VISION; Pui Tak Center; Pui Tak Christian School; St. Therese School and Parish; Special Service Area (SSA) 78; Community Leader C. W. Chan; Illinois Department of Aging Chief of Staff Selma D’Souza; Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou; Illinois Department of Human Services Deputy Chief of Staff Hina Mahmood; State Representative Theresa Mah; Metropolitan Water; Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita; Alderman Byron Sycho-Lopez; State Senator Tony Munoz

CBCAC