If the 2012 elections were any indication, civically-engaged Latinos matter, especially in narrowly-contested races. As the Latino population continues to grow, how can Latinos continue to leverage their political power?

In Illinois, there are more than 300 state boards and commissions in operation. They are comprised of mostly unpaid, volunteers appointed by the governor.  Relying on individuals with expertise  in various professions, these entities are responsible for strategic planning, issuing guidance on federal grants, drafting policy recommendations, providing oversight in a variety of areas, and much more.  While data isn’t available on the participation rate of Latinos on state boards or commissions, it is widely acknowledged they and other minority groups... Continue Reading

We at the Latino Policy Forum congratulate the Illinois Early Childhood Fellowship on its third cohort of distinguished Fellows. As one of the program’s original host organizations, the Latino Policy Forum is proud to announce welcome our new Illinois Early Childhood Fellow, Christine Nicpon.

The Fellowship, founded in 2008, is making a long-term investment in the field of early childhood. The ultimate impact of the Fellowship is clear: by recruiting (diverse) emerging leaders (of color )to the field of early childhood in Illinois, the program establishes a talent pipeline that will address the need for  leaders who reflect the communities they serve, especially as the state’s zero-to-eight population is in the process... Continue Reading

Year 5 of the Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy will be the largest in the program’s history, with 34 participants from 19 Illinois-based Latino-serving nonprofits set to participate in the intensive nine-month program.  Embracing the cultural strengths of the Latino community, the Academy invests in leadership to remedy two conflicting trends: the growth in the Latino population and the decrease in resources available to the organizations that serve them.  

Even as the Latino population remains one of the fastest-growing segments in the country, just 1 percent of total foundation funding in the US has been dedicated to serving Latinos over the past decade,... Continue Reading

The line for the early train toSpringfieldwas decidedly Latino on May 7, Latino Unity Day at the state capitol. With 2013 marking its second year, Latino Unity Day is a relatively new but vital opportunity for leaders from Latino-led, Latino-serving organizations, as well as the community at large, to send a collective, coordinated message to legislators:  The state’s investment in Latinos must keep pace with the community’s growth—and its economic, cultural, and civic contributions.

The coordinated events planned for the day would be a clear demonstration of collaboration between co-conveners, including: Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association,Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees, Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE), Illinois Latino Family Commission, Latino Policy Forum,... Continue Reading