Thursday, January 26, 2012

Ward Remap, Cynthia Ramirez, LAPA, Scholarship Alert, Joe Baca, Mickey Ibarra, Events, Announcement

          MY OPINION: The coalition of 41 Chicago Aldermen who voted for the "compromise" remap of the 50 wards ought to be congratulated.  By the majority of the Aldermen adopting a new remap of the wards, it will save the Chicago taxpayers the cost of a lawsuit and a referendum election costing $100,000. Politics is the art of compromise. Most political issues are complicated and all decisions are not fair. However, in a democratic society the majority prevails. Ald. Proco Joe Moreno [1st Ward] said the map is fair.In the future the 13th, 14th, 33rd and 38th Wards will become Latino wards because of the increase of the Latino population.  Every 10 years it's a power struggle for incumbent Aldermen to survive in the process of changing the ward boundary lines. The new ward map will not affect the March 20th Primary Election, but will affect the Nov. 6th General Election.
Proco Joe Moreno
          WITH THIRTEEN majority "Latino" wards, our Latino community must wake up and start getting into the habit of voting. For years the most common criticism I've heard is "Latinos don't vote!" It's true. Latino wards, unfortunately, have the lowest number of voters. In the 22nd Ward there are 14,000 registered voters but only 4,000 come out to vote on Election Day. We are losing 10,000 votes, and there is no excuse.
          THIS MUST CHANGE if we expect our voices to be heard and respected. For those of us who are in leadership positions within Hispanic communities, we must unite and get-out-the-VOTE! It is our responsibility to educate our communities on the importance of voting. We must tell our Latino community to vote for the future of their children [para el futuro de sus hijos!].
          CASUALTIES: Two Latino politico casualties Ambrosio "Ambi" Medrano, who lost to Ald. Danny Solis last year, has been remapped into Ald. James Balcer [11th Ward] and Raymond Lopez [15th Ward] is now in Ald. Michael Zalewsk's [23rd Ward]. Last year Lopez lost  in a runoff election against Ald.Toni Foulkes.  Now, Lopez is a candidate for Democratic Committeeman in the 15th Ward.
          QUALIFIED: Cynthia Ramirez is the only Latina woman running for countywide judicial position in Cook County. She was born and raised in Chicago, of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, and grew up in Wicker Park neighborhood. Cynthia attended Thomas Drummond Elementary and Wells Senior High School. She currently resides in the Dunning Square area.
          CYNTHIA received her Bachelor's degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1986; and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1989. Cynthia has more than 21 years of trial and judicial experience in both civil and criminal practice.
Cynthia Ramirez
          SHE STARTED her legal career serving six and half years as an Assistant Public Defender. During this time, Cynthia tried complex criminal and civil matters before the Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, First Municipal and Post Conviction divisions of Cook County Circuit Court. In private practice, she tried criminal and civil matters before the Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, Criminal and Traffic divisions of Cook County Circuit Court. As an Administrative Law Judge, Cynthia presided over regulatory and licensure hearings for more than 13 years.
          ATTORNEY RAMIREZ is a member of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois, Hispanic Lawyer's Association of Illinois and the National Hispanic Bar Association. She is also a parent member of the Friends of Lincoln Park High School.
          CYNTHIA RAMIREZ is rated Qualified by the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, Illinois State Bar Association and the Asian American Bar Association. Rated Highly Recommended by the Decalogue society of Lawyers, Hispanic Lawyer's Association of Illinois and the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois.
          SHE IS rated Recommended by the Cook County Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, Hellenic Bar Association and the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.
          CYNTHIA is endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party, Chicago Federation of Labor, Fraternal Order of Police and the Latin American Police Association [LAPA].
          CPD LAPA: Police Officer Michael Chuchro is of Puerto Rican and Polish descent and is the President of the Latin American Police Association. For the past eleven years, Michael has served with the Chicago Police Department [CPD] and has received two Life Saving Awards, two Department Commendations, forty four Honorable Mentions and five Complementary Letters.
Michael Chuchro
         MICHAEL has been the President of LAPA for the past five years and is an active member of the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association [HISLEA] from 1997 to 2010. With HISLEA, he served as an Executive Board Member and Treasurer.
          MICHAEL attended Robert Morris University [RMU] and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor in Business Administration, 2007. While attending RMU, Michael was listed on the President's Honors List and was inducted into the sigma Beta Delta International Honors society in Business, Management and Administration. After attending RMU, he went on to study at the Morris Graduate School of Management where he graduated with a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Information Systems, 2010.
          LAPA PRESIDENT Chuchro said his vision for the LAPA organization is to continue to uphold the traditions of LAPA and move the organization forward by mentoring young Hispanic officers. To work with Hispanic community to develop new relationships and to deliver assistance where needed. "I also want to ensure that LAPA continues to provide for scholarships annually to deserving Hispanics who have entered college to pursue a degree," said President Chuchro.
          LAPA OFFICERS: Ruben Dominquez, Vice-President; Falsino Lerma, Treasurer; Gina Mata, Secretary; Ramon Ferrer, Assistant Secretary. LAPA General Membership meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7:00p.m. at Chicago FOP Lodge #7, 1412 W. Washington St. For more LAPA info log on: www.LAPA1961.com
          SCHOLARSHIP ALERT: The HSF/HSBC-North American Scholarship Program is available on a competitive basis to outstanding Hispanic seniors in the 2012-2013 academic year. Application Postmark Deadline is Jan. 31, 2012. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, Hispanic heritage, legal permanent resident or eligible Non-U.S. citizen. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average [GPA] of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have plans to enroll FULL-TIME at a four year U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Island or Guam during the 2012-2013 academic year.
          STUDENTS must plan on attending a four-year college or university where they will be a SENIOR in the 2012-2013 academic school year. Must be majoring in one of the following majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Informaiton Technology [IT/MIS], Management, Marketing, Public Relations. The student must plan to apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] beginning January 2012.
for more information call 1-877-473-4636 or e-mail scholar1@hsf.net
          USHLI CONFERENCE: The 30th National Conference of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute to be held in Chicago on February 16-19, 2012 and will be honoring two outstanding Hispanic Americans, Congressman Joe Baca and the Honorable Mickey Ibarra. These two distinguished Hispanic Americans will receive special recognition at the USHLI conference. Congressman Joe Baca and Mickey Ibarra will be honored during the Latino Officials Recognition Luncheon at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012.
Joe Baca
          CONGRESSMAN Joe Baca has represented the 43rd District in California since 1999. He successfully fought against English-only and anti-immigrant legislation in the House of Representatives. His peers in Congress elected him to serve as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 110th Congress from 2007-2008. Congressman Baca was the first Latino elected to the Board of Trustees with the San Bernardino Valley College District in 1979. He was elected in 1992 to the State Assembly and became the first Latino Speaker Pro Tem and was later elected to the State Senate in 1998. Congressman Baca will receive the Edward R. Roybal-Henry B. Gonzalez Award for Excellence in Public Service.
          MICKEY IBARRA is President of the Ibarra Strategy Group, a government relations and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. He served in former President Clinton's administration as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. He is the founder and Chairman of the Latino Leaders Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing relationships and dialogue on issues important to the Latino community. Mickey Ibarra will receive the USHLI's inaugural Medallion for Excellence in Government Relations and Public Affairs. HSHLI is led by Dr. Juan Andrade Jr.
          TO REGISTER for the USHLI Conference link on www.regonline,com/USHLI30thNational or call 312/427-8683 or email tdeavours@ushli.org

                                                        CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  • Sunday, Jan. 29--A benefit fund-raiser for Carlos Claudio's campaign for Judge of the 6th Subcircuit Court of Cook County. Blues Night at Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets $25-$50. A fun evening of blues music performed by talented local blues artist Pete Galanis. For more info call 773/417-6114.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 31--Fundraiser Reception honoring Cynthia Ramirez, Democrat for Cook County circuit Court Judge, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 10 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2300, Chicago. Hosted by Dykema. Donation: $50, Friend: $250, Supporter: $500. RSVP contact Rosa Tumialan @ 312/627-2139. Make check payable to: Ramirez for Judge.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 31--Court Advocacy Training, 1160 N. Larrabee Ave. from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments. RSVP, ASAP to CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org or call 312/742-5778 and ask for Officer Incaprera. All interested parties are welcome!
  • Tuesday, Jan. 31--Join the Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel for a Fundrasing Reception honoring Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi at Rosebud Prime Steakhouse, One South Dearborn St., Chicago from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Individual ticket $150. RSVP at rsvp@p2consultinginc.com or cabonargi.com/donate or call 312/854-8018
  • Saturday, Feb. 11--Sweetheart Dinner Dance sponsored by the Chicago Chapter Latino Caucus at La Casa Puertoriquena, 1237 S. California Ave. from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music by DJ Santiago, dinner music by a Special Trio Group. Cash Bar. Donation $15. For tickets call Abel Camacho 773/704-8243, Carlos Feliciano 773/392-5092, Roman Berrios 773/627-9678 or Luis Aviles 773/623-9266.
  • Sat., Feb. 25--The Office of City Clerk Susan Mendoza will provide free Kid ID's and Medical ID's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. For more info call 312/286-3405
  • Wednesday, Feb. 29--"Meet the Candidates" dinner meeting hosted by the Hispanic American Labor Council. Meet State, County and Judicial candidates at Mi Tierra Restaurant, 2528 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago/Little Village, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mexican buffet/Cash Bar, Open Seating. Donation: $40. Mail and make check payable to Hispanic American Labor Council, 2538 S. Christiana Ave., Chicago, 60623.  
  • Tuesday, March 20, 2012--Primary Election.