ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum strives to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies, and engage diverse sectors of the community. It does this by conducting analysis to inform, influence and lead, all with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. Our 2010 accomplishments include:

INFORM
 • Increased presence of Latino voice in mainstream media through the placement of more than 120 print articles and broadcast segments in mainstream and community new outlets.
• Conducted trailblazing analysis on disparities in state investment in Latinos, revealing that 15 percent of Illinois’ population constitutes only 4.4 percent of the state workforce and receives just 5.5 percent of state grants.
• Produced the Blueprint for Latino Investment: A Latino Legislative Agenda, which highlights the vital role that Latinos play in fueling Illinois’ economy and articulates standards for investment for the distribution state funding.

INFLUENCE
• Authored the official comments on bilingual preschool rule changes on behalf of the Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Committee and the Illinois Early Learning Council. Also provided testimony to the Illinois State Board of Education in support of bilingual preschool, positioning Illinois as a trailblazer in providing bilingual education at the pre-K level.
• Demanded accountability from mortgage lenders by co-convening a City Hall hearing on the housing foreclosure crisis, giving Latino homeowners and elected officials a platform to voice their concerns with representatives from more than 10 banks.
• Increased Latino participation in public policy by testifying nine times in appropriations hearings and leading delegations to Springfield to advocate for maintenance of funding for early care and education programs as well as funding for Latino nonprofits.
• Coordinated a local voice on Federal Immigration Policy Reform by hosting a community information session attended by 100 individuals, coordinating vigils and press conferences in support of the DREAM Act, and tracking and analyzing local and federal legislation.

LEAD
• Leveraged the collective leadership of the Latino community by co-convening the Illinois Latino Agenda, a strategic alliance of nearly 50 Latino-serving nonprofits, along with Acuerdo working groups of community leaders in immigration, education and housing issue areas.
• Encouraged sustainable leadership in Latino-lead, Latino-serving organizations by convening the second cohort of the Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy, engaging executive-level and emerging leadership in personal, professional and organizational development.
• Bolstered Latino participation in State-level decision-making by supporting placement of eight Latino advocates on several committees and councils.
• Doubled Policy Forum staff capacity and organizational budget to effectively address communication and community engagement needs.

	Name	Source	Date
	Accomplishments - 2010	Latino Policy Forum	10/28/2010
	Accomplishments - 2007-2008	Latino Policy Forum	8/28/2008

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