Latino Policy Forum

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Latino Policy Forum Advancing Latinos advances a shared future. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead.

Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies, and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future.

Latino voters have the power to shape Illinois' future, but what will it take to realize it?Join us on October 23 at 11 ...
10/16/2026

Latino voters have the power to shape Illinois' future, but what will it take to realize it?

Join us on October 23 at 11 AM (CT) for a webinar exploring findings from our latest Statistics on Latinos (SOL) report, The Latino Electorate in Illinois: Growth, Geography, and Turning Potential into Power.

Our President and CEO, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, Vice President of Civic Engagement, José Marco-Paredes, and Northwestern University Professor Jaime Dominguez, will explore:

☀️ How the Latino electorate in Illinois has changed over the past decade
☀️ Where Latino voters live, with new data at the regional, county, and local levels
☀️ Latino registration and voting rates compared with other groups
☀️ What candidates, parties, and community groups can do to engage Latino voters before Election Day

This will be a conversation you don’t want to miss. Plus, everyone who registers for the webinar will receive early access to the report!

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4ymXirp

Our inaugural LEAD Student Fellows are learning what it means to bring their voices, experiences, and ideas into the pol...
10/09/2026

Our inaugural LEAD Student Fellows are learning what it means to bring their voices, experiences, and ideas into the policymaking process.

Recently, these student leaders met with State Representative Norma Hernandez and Adrian Calderon for a conversation about civic engagement, advocacy, and how community priorities can shape public policy.

The LEAD Student Fellowship gives Illinois undergraduate students hands-on opportunities to strengthen their leadership, deepen their policy knowledge, and build relationships with policymakers, advocates, and peers.

Learn more about LEAD and meet the inaugural cohort: https://latinopolicyforum.org/introducing-our-inaugural-class-of-lead-student-fellows/

Applications are now open for the 2027 Multicultural Leadership Academy cohort!Now in its eighteenth year, MLA has broug...
10/08/2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 Multicultural Leadership Academy cohort!

Now in its eighteenth year, MLA has brought together more than 340 leaders from more than 200 community organizations to strengthen relationships, deepen cross-cultural understanding, and build greater unity between Black and Latine communities in Illinois.

“Being part of the Multicultural Leadership Academy was incredibly meaningful to me – especially at this point in my life. MLA reminded me of the importance of vulnerability and community. Leadership is not about having the correct answers or having a stellar implementation plan. Instead, leadership is about listening and deeply valuing the experiences of others. MLA gave me new friendships and a chance to share my story. From the retreats to the Saturday workshops, MLA allowed me to explore leadership from a cultural, emotional, and communal lens.” -Nancy Negrete, 2026 cohort

Interested in applying? Learn more and apply at https://latinopolicyforum.org/leadership/application/

Today is the last day to Take Action: Help protect Head Start!HHS has proposed changes to Head Start that would signific...
10/06/2026

Today is the last day to Take Action: Help protect Head Start!

HHS has proposed changes to Head Start that would significantly reduce the standards that support best practices in teaching and learning across programs. These proposed changes would disproportionately harm Latino and Black children, who make up a majority of the student population, as well as Dual Language Learners, and children with disabilities.

Your voice is important! Please submit a public comment by TODAY, October 6, 2026!

Click the link in bio to learn more and take action.

September 29th marked Hunger Action Day, and we spent it in community with the Greater Chicago Food Depository!We were h...
10/03/2026

September 29th marked Hunger Action Day, and we spent it in community with the Greater Chicago Food Depository!

We were honored to receive the 2026 Hunger Action Leadership Award for our work to protect food access for immigrant families.

A special thank you to our Civic Engagement Team, Juan-Carlos Bautista, Nina Sedeño, and José Marco-Paredes, for their leadership, dedication, and diligence in this work, and to our partners and allies who continue to stand with immigrant families.

We’re grateful for this recognition, but there is much more work ahead. Together, we must continue protecting access to food and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We’re so excited to announce that Rebecca Glenberg, Chief Litigation Counsel: First Amendment, ACLU of Illinois and Sean...
10/02/2026

We’re so excited to announce that Rebecca Glenberg, Chief Litigation Counsel: First Amendment, ACLU of Illinois and Sean Morales-Doyle, Senior Director, Voting Rights & Elections, Brennan Center for Justice will be joining us at Latinos on the Move 2026 for our panel:

Our Vote is Powerful: Why Showing Up Together is How We Protect Our Future

In the U.S., all eligible voters, from people voting in their home language to naturalized citizens voting for the first time, get to have a say in the decisions that impact their lives. Today, it is more important than ever to protect and exercise your rights at the ballot box as we face the largest coordinated effort to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.

Moderated by Jose Marco-Paredes, this timely and important panel discussion will focus on voting rights; what it took to ensure all citizens could participate in civic life, and why showing up together, in numbers too large to ignore, is how we protect our power to choose.

With the midterm elections quickly approaching, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Secure your spot today!

Register here: https://latinopolicyforum.org/event/latinos-on-the-move-2026/

09/30/2026

Action needed: help protect Head Start!

HHS has proposed changes to Head Start that would significantly reduce the standards that support best practices in teaching and learning across programs. These proposed changes would disproportionately harm Latino and Black children, who make up a majority of the student population, as well as Dual Language Learners, and children with disabilities.

Your voice is important! Please submit a public comment by October 6, 2026!

Click here to learn more and take action: https://latinopolicyforum.org/head-start-changes-2026/

09/20/2026

“I started this year unsure if I should even call myself a rising leader. I felt so distant from the leader I wanted to be. MLA empowered me, lifted me up, and reminded me that we all make mistakes—and those mistakes do not define the leader I am.” - Lucia Hernandez

We were so excited to graduate another cohort of the Multicultural Leadership Academy last month. Considering applying next year or maybe you’d just like to learn more? Sign up for information and updates at latinopolicyforum.org/leadership.

09/19/2026

Join us for Latinos on the Move on October 29 at the Union League Club of Chicago.

Our annual policy luncheon and fundraiser brings together our community and allies to celebrate our wins, recognize the leaders moving us forward, and support the work advancing equity for Latino families across Illinois.

And if you’re wondering about the Pilsen trifecta: Anticonquista, Ruby’s, and Panaderia Nuevo León are a few of our favorites. A win-win: good food, good company, and supporting Latino communities across Illinois.

For more information click the link in our bio.

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