Here’s a riddle: If I was Diana, like the princess from K-12, and then later became Diana, with a diphthong and two syllables, what am I?  With the first pronunciation, I can be anyone; the second marks me as Latina. When people ask me what I am, I fear they think I’m other, and I stutter.  My struggles with identity are not new and not based on shame. I am a US-born daughter of Costa Rican immigrants who arrived stateside in 1965. I grew up in beachy West Haven, Connecticut, where we were the only Latinas in our school, but I never felt different from the rest of the kids. We m ..read more

CHICAGO—Illinois Latino News, an affiliate of the Latino News Network (LNN), announces the expansion of its partnership with CAN TV, Chicago’s premiere hub for community access news. Building upon their existing collaboration that began in May 2023, IL Latino News and CAN TV are set to introduce two new monthly programs this year aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting civic engagement, and amplifying diverse voices across the city of Chicago and beyond: “Sazón de Illinois” and “Presente!”.  LNN Publisher and host of the CAN TV show “3 Questions With…” Hugo Balta will serve as host and exe ..read more

Hogar, dulce hogar! For many people of color in the U.S., the dream of homeownership can often feel out of reach. Despite advances in civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, systemic barriers and economic disparities continue to make it difficult for people of color to own a home. In all states, Black, Hispanic, and Native American households have lower rates of homeownership compared to white households. Similarly, Asian households are less likely to be homeowners in every state except Hawaii. Although the extent of these racial homeownership disparities may differ from state to state, the ..read more

The floor-to-ceiling Mexican flag that once adorned the exterior of the once emblematic Little Village Discount Mall in Chicago’s Southwest Side neighborhood is no longer there. There are fewer street vendors selling corn, fresh water and cotton candy outside of the plaza that now sports an industrial gray and yellow look. Inside the mall – now half the size it used to be- rows of intricately woven children’s clothing and traditional religious accessories adorn the small store that Bertha Veronica Ramirez owns.   She named it ‘Vero’s Kids and Hulama,’ which includes her name and the ..read more

Public libraries are an invaluable resource in any community. They provide access to knowledge, information, and entertainment for people of all ages and backgrounds. From books to digital resources, they offer a wide range of materials that educate, inspire, and empower individuals. Public libraries play a critical role in fostering literacy, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing community engagement. Maria Nava, the Community Engagement Manager with the Warren-New Port Public Library (WNPL), was a guest on the program “3 Questions With…” hosted by Hugo Balta, publisher of ..read more

In Lower West Side Chicago sits the vibrant community of Pilsen, known for its rich Latino culture overflowing with music, art, and culinary tradition. On a cold Wednesday night in February, the Papalotzin Healing Collective gathered at one of Pilsen’s most well-known cultural centers, La Casa de Cultura. Here, the Collective prepares for a night of community healing, a sound bath orchestrated by the Collective, which involves a combination of sounds and vibrations to produce a healing and meditative environment inspired by their ancestral knowledge. Members of the community set up their yoga ..read more

The number of Hispanic, Latino adults 65+ has grown nearly threefold since 2000, to approximately 5 million in 2020. For the community, taking care of their elders is often part of the cultural fabric – we take care of our own. Caregiving is an investment in time and money that can be a strain, especially if you’re juggling taking care of seniors and children – and all the responsibilities that come along with it, including housing, food, and health care. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live ..read more

As a child, Peggy Salazar, a pioneer of Chicago’s environmental justice movement, would walk around the glittery streets of South Chicago at night. She walked them every day without questioning it. She sat on the benches, stairs, and rails and returned home with her back covered in soot. As the years passed, Salazar roamed through neighborhoods north of the South Works steel mill, where she realized a striking difference. “The environment only came on my radar as a senior in high school because no one talked about [it],” says Salazar. Quickly, science became part of her daily life, and she soo ..read more

Many menstruators are taught from an early age to keep their period under wraps, literally wrapping their products in toilet paper and burying it deep in the trash bin to prevent others from seeing it. Movies have documented these attitudes towards menstruation over the decades with films like Carrie and Superbad depicting teens period-shaming their peers. This may become a thing of the past. The 2023 State of the Period survey, a study by period panty brand Thinx, Inc. and menstrual equity organization PERIOD., tracking the impact of period poverty ..read more

In this year’s primary election, equitable, diverse representation is front and center in the Illinois State Supreme Court race. The state’s highest court has seven judges: three African Americans and four Caucasians. Candidate for the State Supreme Court, Appellate Judge Jesse Reyes, is calling for Latino representation in the court.  Judge Jesse Reyes, 2020, Courtesy: Jesse Reyes For Illinois Supreme Court “We need to have a voice on the Illinois Supreme Court,” Reyes told IL Latino News. If elected, he would be the first Latino to serve on the bench.  Reyes is challenging incumben ..read more