CHICAGO – At a Latino Caucus meeting after City Council’s meeting recently, Alderman Gilbert Villegas of the 36th Ward was unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Latino Caucus.
“I am proud to serve as the new Chairman of the Caucus,” said Villegas, “Its very humbling to see that my colleagues trust me to lead this prestigious group. Especially as a first term Alderman, this is one of the biggest honors of my life.”
The City Councils’ Latino Caucus includes 11 members from across the city. Alderman George Cardenas (12th Ward) is stepping down after his two-year term. “Alderman Cardenas has done great work over the last two years. His work will serve as a great template for what the Caucus can do moving forward,” said Villegas, “Moving forward my goals will to be build on the great work of Alderman Cardenas and focus on public safety, education and economic development.”
Hispanics make up nearly 30% of Chicago’s population and this is the fastest growing population in the city. The City Councils’ Latino Caucus includes 11 members from across the city.
They represent wards as diverse as Chicago itself. In addition to Chairman Villegas, the Caucus membership includes Alderman Joe Moreno – 1st Ward, Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza – 10th Ward, Alderman Cardenas – 12th Ward, Alderman Raymond Lopez – 15th Ward, Alderman Rick Muñoz – 22nd Ward, Alderman Danny Solis – 25th Ward, Alderman Roberto Maldonado – 26th Ward, Alderman Ariel Reboyras – 30th Ward, Alderman Milly Santiago – 31st Ward, Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa – 35th Ward. Chairman Villegas is a first term Alderman from the 36th Ward on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The 36th Ward includes parts of five neighborhoods: Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Montclare, Portage Park and Dunning.
