When: Wednesday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Student Center East, Cardinal Room, 750 S. Halsted St.
Series: 
Phillip J Bowman Annual Lecture
This event is free and open to the public
Fuerza Latina powerpoint presentation by Sylvia PuenteBetween 2000 and 2010, Illinois’ Latino population growth of nearly half a million people was greater
than the state’s overall population growth of 411,339; in the wake of overall population declines, the
Latino population is growing, contributing to the cultural and economic future of our state. However,
the past decade has dealt a mixed hand to a community that is increasingly shaping the face of
Illinois. Against the backdrop of the ongoing economic crisis, this report takes stock of how Illinois
Latinos are faring, specifically in the areas of economic status, education, health, and housing.
Indicators reveal multiple paradoxes: As the number of “high-earning” Latino households in Illinois
doubled, the number of Latino children living in poverty rose by 50%. While an unprecedentedly
high number of Illinois Latino children—90%—now have access to healthcare, two-thirds of Illinois
Latinos are classified as obese. While Latinos accounted for half of the increase in owner occupied
homes over the last decade, more than half are now applying an unsustainable 30% of their income
towards housing costs. The number of Latinos obtaining a four-year degree nearly doubled; however,
just over half of their third grade counterparts are meeting or exceeding reading standards.
Illinois Latinos are succeeding and struggling at unprecedented levels; this bifurcation of our
communities must be in the forefront of our thoughts as we build an “Agenda for the Future.
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The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation hopes that this report empowers readers to reflect
upon the policies that have shaped the economic, academic, health and housing results of the past
decade and to consider the policy interventions necessary to build a strong shared future for Latinos
and all Illinoisans.
Sylvia Puente is a leading advocate of affordable and accessible housing, just immigration reform, improved educational outcomes for children, and women's leadership. In addition to leading the Latino Policy Forum, she is a founder of the Latino Leadership Council of the Chicago Foundation for Women, the convener of the Illinois Latino Agenda, and a recent recipient of the League of United Latin American Citizens' Leadership Award.
This lecture has been established to honor Phillip J. Bowman’s contributions to UIC during his tenure as Director of IRRPP and Professor of African American Studies. It features national scholars of race, ethnicity, and public policy who provide timely analysis of issues that are critical to the field and to communities of color.
