Latino Community Wants Transportation Changes
to Reflect Ethnic and Cultural Background
SPECIAL REPORT
ADDENDUM TO THE
Central Neighborhoods of Chicago
Connecting Communities Summit
The Latino community is a growing population in the
region that needs better representation and a stronger
voice and role in the transportation planning process.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2002, residents of the
predominantly Latino communities on Chicago's near
west side gathered to discuss transportation and land
use needs at the Telpochcalli School. The
Connecting Communities mini-summit was
cosponsored by the Center for Neighborhood
Technology, the Blue Line Transit Task Force and the
Coalition for the Telpochcalli Community Education
Project. Attendees envisioned a transportation
system that would not only be efficient, safe and
accessible, but would reflect their community's
history and ethnic background.
The mini-summit format was modified slightly to
accommodate the local partner's desire to focus on
the economic development opportunities fostered by
transportation investments. Attendees had the
opportunity to indicate on maps where they would
like to see new economic, housing and recreational or
social center developments. This group recognized
the potential for economic development and the
impact that it would have on public transportation in
the community. Two out of the top three highest-
ranking recommendations for this community related
to increased economic development as supporting
transit and sound planning for transit stations to
provide an economic asset to a community.
The group was comprised of 29 members
representing the communities of Pilsen, North
Lawndale, Little Village, the town of Cicero and the
Illinois Medical District. In survey response, the
group was split evenly between ten male and ten
female attendees ranging in ages from 21 to 65.
1
Meeting attendees were predominantly Latino along
with four black and one Native American attendee.
The meeting was conducted in both English and Spanish,
with one main translator for the presentations and
instructions as well as bilingual table facilitators.
Monolingual Spanish speakers sat together at one table.
Attendees use all modes of transportation to move
throughout their communities and the region. The most
frequent destinations in the community include: schools,
churches, movie theaters, businesses along 26th Street,
Randolph Street, and Taylor Street, Douglas and
Harrison Parks, the Mexican Consulate, Casa Aztlan,
the Mexican Fine Arts Museum, University of Illinois at
Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Destinations outside the community include: Riverside
and Ford Malls, Lake Michigan, the Loop, Chinatown,
Greektown, Navy Pier, South Chicago, Hyde Park,
O'Hare/Midway, Wicker Park, Oak Park, Cicero and
various museums.
A primary obstacle to travel in this community was the
lack of safety; poorly paved and ill-lit sidewalks and
streets were cited as the main deficits. Attendees
suggested better maintenance and repair of transit
stations and bus stops would improve safety.
Additionally, economic development near transit stations
would decrease crime and make community members
feel safe. The most frequently identified areas needing
economic development are along two major east-west
corridors: 18th Street, which runs in close proximity to
the Cermak Blue Line rapid transit stations and
Roosevelt Road, from Cicero to the west and Halsted to
the east. New stores, groceries, service related stores
and specialty shops were among suggestions of the
types of economic development desired.
Other kinds of developments, including housing and
social or recreational, were suggested to increase safety
and connectivity in the community. Additional
community center and park assets will increase local
1
Twenty of 29 attendees completed surveys.
