City's future tied to Mexicans

Chicago wants their Mexican residents to use their bilingual and bicultural skills to help make Chicago a center for international business and expand the local economy. DP

Study says region must widen choices
By Oscar Avila Tribune staff reporter

ChicagoTribune.com: To thrive, the Chicago region must integrate its Mexican population into the social and economic life of the area, according to a report released Wednesday.

The report, produced by a Chicago Council on Global Affairs task force, urged Mexican community leaders, local government and other institutions to focus on unleashing the potential of Mexican immigrants and their children through improving job training, home ownership, elementary education and political participation.

The authors said the topic is urgent now that 1 in 6 area residents is of Mexican descent, with the Mexican community expected to double by 2030.

"The success of Chicago in the future is linked to the success of the Mexican community," said Clare Munana, president of Ancora Associates Inc. and one of the task force's three co-chairs.

The diverse task force included the heads of the Illinois AFL-CIO and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as well as corporate CEOs, elected officials, philanthropists and social activists.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.