Chicagolandia Oral History Project

08/25/2026

https://www.elmwoodparkadvocate.org/p/community-organizers-in-franklin

08/24/2026

This photo is part of Chicagolandia’s “Photos of Latinx Suburbia” series, prepared by students at Elgin Community College. ECC student Karen writes:

This photo was taken at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois. For many Mexican families, Our Lady of Guadalupe is an important religious symbol that represents faith, hope, and identity. Visiting the shrine allows families to practice their religion while staying connected to their cultural roots. Having my grandmother, father, brother, and me together in this picture shows how these traditions continue to be passed down through each generation. My grandmother represents the older generation that brought these traditions from Mexico, while my father has continued sharing them with my brother and me. My mom talked about the importance of our family’s faith when she said, “La gente católica el doce de diciembre va a ese lugar para darle gracias por todas sus bendiciones.” Her words remind me that religion has always been a way for my family to stay connected to our Mexican heritage, even while living in the United States.

This photo also highlights how important family is in Latino culture. Many Latino
families value staying close to one another and supporting each other across generations.

Places like the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe become more than places
of worship they become places where families gather, celebrate their culture, and remember where they came from.

08/20/2026

Cortesía de Jorge Mújica Murias

08/13/2026

This photo is part of Chicagolandia’s “Photos of Latinx Suburbia” series, prepared by students at Elgin Community College. ECC student Juan writes:

A historical photograph titled “Elgin Hispanic Network Reunion, March 1996” captures a diverse group of community members smiling alongside local leaders, including Liliana Varas, Armando Trejo, and Mary Camacho, gathered around a conference table. This image serves as a
window into Latinx history in the United States during the late 1990s, a period marked by rapid suburban demographic growth, systemic institutional challenges, and emerging grassroots mobilization.

As the Latinx population expanded beyond traditional urban centers into suburban communities like Elgin, Illinois, residents were forced to navigate localized discrimination while simultaneously laying the groundwork for substantial civic advocacy and lasting political representation. In July 1999, Juan Figueroa, a newly appointed Elgin City Council member, launched a strategic door-to-door voter registration drive to dismantle long-standing obstacles such as the language barrier and deep-seated distrust of local political systems. Partnering with the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, local advocates worked diligently to place qualified Hispanic individuals onto key boards, commissions, and elected positions. Ultimately, the 1996 historical photo represents a community transitioning from
defensive survival against suburban isolation to proactive civic governance.

08/12/2026

https://www.univision.com/shows/noticiero-univision/video-viral-mujer-amenaza-con-llamar-a-ice-tras-pelea-en-illinois-video

08/11/2026

This photo is part of Chicagolandia’s “Photos of Latinx Suburbia” series, prepared by students at Elgin Community College. ECC student Daisy writes:

Growing up in a poor town in Guanajuato, Mexico, Martin saw from a young age that
immigrating to the US could be beneficial to his family. In late 1984, he and his brother decided to move to Elgin where they lived with 13 other men in a single house. His main objective was to
make as much money as he could to send back to his family in Mexico to be able to ease the financial burden that he experienced growing up.

Leaving his family behind and working almost every day was difficult for him. He would communicate via letters and his mother would request pictures from Martin and his brother to send back to Mexico. He took this photo in their house on Grace St. in Elgin.

He liked to take pictures to send back to his family because they liked to frame them. During this time, photos were not as accessible as they are now, but Martin had a camera with film that he would get developed at Walgreens to put into an album and one day show his children.

The picture captures a glimpse of his life as a young man living in the US and is now framed in his family’s home. This image tells a story beyond the two men posing, it tells a story of persevering in a new country with your family being thousands of miles away. For Martin, this picture holds deep emotional significance because he sent it to his parents as an expression of love and hope.

08/10/2026

*Español abajo*

This photo is part of Chicagolandia’s “Photos of Latinx Suburbia” series, prepared by students at Elgin Community College. Lightly edited, ECC student Lilybelle writes:

Nereyda Alvarado always had a passion for music. This picture is of Nereyda in her mid-20s singing on stage with her band, the Rolling Roses, which plays banda, merengue, bachata and norteñas at festivals, restaurants, and private events. Nearly twenty years later, Nereyda continues to perform.

This picture means a lot to her—she is proud of herself for pursuing a music career despite her mom’s concerns. She wanted to make herself and her mother proud, especially with the sacrifice her mom made moving to the United States. Music has helped Nereyda financially and provided the necessary resources for her to grow in life. This picture of Nereyda on stage shows how she has helped preserve Latino culture in the United States.

—
Esta fotografía forma parte de la serie «Photos of Latinx Suburbia» (Fotos de los suburbios latinos) de Chicagolandia, realizada por estudiantes del Elgin Community College (ECC). Lilybelle, estudiante del ECC, escribió el siguiente texto (ligeramente editado) sobre la imagen:

Nereyda Alvarado siempre sintió pasión por la música. Esta foto muestra a Nereyda, cuando tenía veintitantos años, cantando en el escenario con su grupo, The Rolling Roses, que interpreta música de banda, merengue, bachata y norteña en festivales, restaurantes y eventos privados. Casi veinte años después, Nereyda sigue actuando.

Esta imagen tiene un gran significado para ella: se siente orgullosa de haber seguido una carrera musical a pesar de las preocupaciones de su madre. Quería enorgullecerse a sí misma y a su madre, especialmente teniendo en cuenta el sacrificio que esta hizo al mudarse a Estados Unidos. La música ha ayudado a Nereyda económicamente y le ha proporcionado los recursos necesarios para crecer en la vida. Esta fotografía de Nereyda en el escenario refleja cómo ha contribuido a preservar la cultura latina en Estados Unidos.

08/09/2026

REGISTER: https://elginhistory.org/event/hispanic-heritage-premiere/

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

From Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham: “¡Viva Honduras! I had the honor of welcoming Juticalpa Mayor Walner Castro to Waukegan to celebrate the friendship between our cities. Over the years, thousands of immigrants from Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras have made Waukegan their home. Through their entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant traditions, Juticalpenses have shaped the economy and cultural fabric of Waukegan. I look forward to continuing to celebrate the ties that unite Waukegan and Juticalpa.”