The town hall, hosted by WTTW in partnership with My Block, My Hood, My City, was a 90-minute discussion on key issues impacting Chicago’s future. The event featured a panel including Mayor Brandon Johnson, community leaders, educators, researchers, and youth representatives. The discussion was structured around major themes, including public safety, education, economic investment, housing, immigration, and civic engagement.
Teresa Córdova, Director of the Great Cities Institute and a professor of Urban Planning and Policy at UIC, provided insights on economic equity, job access, and the role of immigrants in Chicago’s economy at this town hall.
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- She emphasized the importance of job access and industry retention policies, noting that investing in employment opportunities for young people is key to addressing inequality.
- Córdova highlighted the economic contributions of Latino and immigrant communities, pushing back against narratives that frame them as economic burdens. She pointed out that Latinos play a crucial role in Chicago’s workforce, tax base, and economy, particularly in sectors like construction, landscaping, and food services.
- She advocated for community-driven planning to ensure that economic investments align with neighborhood priorities, suggesting that structured community plans can help residents take control of development in their areas.
- In the discussion on housing, she pointed out the need for public investment and subsidies to support affordable housing, arguing that market-driven solutions alone cannot address the affordability crisis.
- She framed collaboration between Black, Brown, and immigrant communities as essential, urging residents to recognize their shared struggles and work together rather than being divided by misinformation.
From WTTW (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)
