Juan González, on Democracy Now!, discusses his new report on "The Current Migrant Crisis," about how U.S. policy toward Latin America has fueled historic numbers of asylum seekers. He argues U.S. "economic warfare" against countries like Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela is what motivates many migrants to risk the journey north. "We're seeing this enormous increase from these three countries. What do all these three countries have in common? They are all being subjected to United States sanctions," says González. "The sanctions are reducing the ability of people to survive in the region, and then we're surprised by all these people appearing at the border."
Teresa Cordova on Adelante Chicago, talking about the Great Cities Institute’s new Latino Research Initiative (LRI)
Teresa Cordova on Adelante Chicago, talking about the Great Cities Institute's new Latino Research Initiative (LRI).
Chicago-Based Research Initiative Wants to Provide Data and Insight Around a Growing Latino Population
"The Great Cities Institute has poured research into Latino communities with reports spanning the impact of COVID to gentrification. So, it seemed natural to put their efforts together to create the Latino Research Initiative. The goal is to become a data hub for community groups, policy-makers and others."
From WTTW News
.Chicago’s migrant crisis tied to U.S. foreign policy

Juan González is senior fellow at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago. He recently sat down with WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang to discuss how U.S. foreign policy is key to understanding why migrants flee to the city and what more Chicago and Washington should do for immigrants.
Read the Full Article Here.
A novel plan to recycle Chicago’s wastewater could prevent a future water crisis

The Freshwater Lab, in partnership with UIC’s Great Cities Institute, has a proposed solution: Supply industrial sites with treated wastewater, while reserving drinking water for the taps that really need it — those running into homes, health care facilities and other places that require potable water (Report titled, "From Waste to Water: A Framework for Sustainable Freshwater Supply in Northeastern Illinois"). This will help meet the area’s drinking water needs, will divert wastewater out of our rivers and will help support industrial economic growth in northern Illinois.
Read the Full Article Here.
Read the Research Report Here.
Powerful attorney and top academic both being pushed to lead city planning department

As Mayor Brandon Johnson looks to fill out his administration, two people with different backgrounds have emerged as candidates to lead the $203 million Department of Planning & Development.
Read the Full Article Here on Crain's Chicago Business.
The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways invites you to their Lake Calumet Bike Network Study website and survey

Cook County wants to make biking, walking and using scooters safer and easier for those who live in parts of southern Cook County. Therefore, the Lake Calumet Bike Network Study will help bring improvements for those who use the aforementioned forms of “active transportation” in the area. Click Here to View Website for More Information and Upcoming Engagement Opportunities. Click Here to Take Survey.
2nd Chicago Latino Arts & Culture Summit Connects Latino Arts Leaders With Top Foundations

The annual event brought together leaders from the city's top foundations with their counterparts at more than 20 Chicago Latino nonprofit arts organizations, collectively discussing developing new strategies and solutions to address the funding gap in Latino arts. Carlos Tortolero, President and CEO, National Museum of Mexican Art, shared statistics provided by Dr. Teresa Córdova, Director of the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
UIC Study Finds Youth Unemployment Spiked During Pandemic
Unemployment rates for Chicago’s young Black women doubled during pandemic, new study finds

Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova wrote on the GCI report titled Data Brief: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth and Young Adult Employment in Chicago, Illinois, and the U.S. The article noted: Matthew Wilson, an associate director at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois and one of the […]