Residents of the McKinley Park area held a fundraiser for the Latina women of Chicago’s City Council on Sept. 26 at La Palapa Restaurant, 2000 W. 34th St. The fundraiser was organized by Alderpersons Julia Ramirez, 12th Ward; Silvana Tabares, 23rd Ward; Jeylu Gutierrez, 14th Ward; and Ruth Cruz, 30th Ward.
“My family migrated from Mexico in the ‘70s to an apartment in Pilsen and then to a small house in this area of the 12th Ward of McKinley Park,” Ramirez said. She noted that McKinley Park was primarily Polish in the 1850s, before many Mexican families moved in. By the 1990s the population was 80% Hispanic. “We’ve seen that shift,” she said.
Homes were built in the 12th Ward area during that time to accommodate the new residents who came seeking jobs nearby. “McKinley Park is the geographical center of the city,” Ramirez said.
She addressed the resilience of the community, highlighting La Palapa owner Alejandro “Alex” Guerra, who started the restaurant as a small shack selling tamales on a small piece of land that he later expanded. “I think about that sort of resilience of people who come here and have this vision and work so hard to make it happen,” Ramirez said.
Harrison Hartzell, 19, of McKinley Park, said the culture of McKinley Park is “one of connection” since Chicago, in general, is such a diverse city. She noted the variety of events the neighborhood holds for residents like her. “It gives people the opportunity to socialize and enjoy the company of nearby Chicagoans while enjoying the stunning scenery of the park,” Hartzell said.
Hartzell appreciated the opportunity the fundraiser provided to get involved in local politics and meet the people who represent their community. “It gives people hope that not only do their community voices matter, but that people ‘in charge’ are actively listening and making changes in our community,” Hartzell said.
Guadalupe Mendez, 19, of McKinley Park, noted that many Asians also live in McKinley Park, and that community feels marginalized. She said she’s heard from several neighbors on her block that they don’t get along with some of the Asian community. “They have a bad image of them,” Mendez said.
Mendez appreciated that Fiesta Feminina allowed people to speak to the ‘higher-ups’ about these issues and how they can “help our needs as a community.”
Ramirez said events like this fundraiser are important because they allow people to get involved with their neighborhood and speak firsthand to people who can make changes, like her. “Future events we’re thinking about having is a 35th Street festival, since 35th Street is unique and important to our community,” Ramirez said. “We’re starting a vecino (neighbor) program because everybody has these great ideas. We have created a space for people to take ownership of their ideas and support them through our office.”