Metropolitan
Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
L
to R: Commissioner Frank Avila, MWRD; MWRD Executive Director David
St. Pierre, LVEJO Executive Director Antonio Lopez and Kim
Wasserman, LVEJO Project Coordinator.
LVEJO HUDDLES: Frank Avila,
Commissioner Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Chicago [MWRD], and MWRD Executive Director David St. Pierre
met on Thursday, June 19, 2014 with Little Village Environmental
Justice Organization [LVEJO] Executive Director Antonio Lopez
and Project Coordinator Kim Wasserman. The meeting’s agenda
was to discuss an environmental clean-up project at the Chicago
Sanitary & Ship Canal – Collateral Channel near 31st
St. between Kedzie Ave. and California St. in Little Village. This
property around the Collateral Channel is owned by MWRD.
THE LITTLE Village Community
Council and the Chicago Boy Scouts of America are supporting
this clean-up project by LVEJO. The meeting promoted ideas that were
shared on how to best clean up the Collateral Channel area by both
parties. Officials of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
expressed their interest in the clean-up project and offered
technical support; LVEJO wants to re-vitalize the severely
contaminated riverfront properties adjacent to the Chicago Sanitation
and Shipping Canal.
“DURING THE summer
months neighbors in the area complain a lot about the strong odor
from the Collateral Channel. At LVEJO we are concerned that the
waterway poses a public health threat to the community. We are
excited to work with our community partners and the MWRD to resolve
this important environmental injustice,” said Executive Director
Antonio Lopez.
LVEJO IS focusing on
the stretch of waterway between Bubby Creek and the Collateral
Channel in Little Village. Local and regional partners have come
together to ensure that the public is aware of the environmental
conditions of the waterway. There is also a need for access to
riverfront public spaces for healthy recreation and leisure
activities.
TO LEARN more about
this project contact LVEJO, 2445 S. Spaulding Ave., Chicago, IL
60623. Telephone: 773/762-6991.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PIERRE
suggested filling up the Collateral Channel with rocks and making the
area into a small park. “This can easily be done since we can
provide the rocks,” said Pierre. The Corp of Engineers wants the
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to clean up the entire
Sanitation & Shipping Canal, which is a very costly undertaking
the District cannot afford to do.
THE ILLINOIS Latino Family
Commission is a non-partisan, independent state commission
established by P.A. 95-619 to improve the opportunities and resources
available to Latino families throughout the state.
THE ILFC advises the Governor
and General Assembly and works directly with State agencies to ensure
that policies, services and programs are responsive to the Latino
community. Martinez with her colleagues, focuses on legislation,
policy analysis, program development to promote social and economic
well-being of Latino families.
VIRGINIA MARTINEZ is a 1975
graduate of DePaul University College of Law and has spent most of
her career working in non-profit organizations. She is a strong
advocate for Latinos, women and children. From 1992 to 1997, she was
Executive Director of Mujeres Latinas en Accion. For the Mexican
American Legal Defense and Educational Fund [MALDEF], Virginia served
as the Legislative Staff Attorney where she was responsible for
monitoring regional, state and local legislation and policy issues
affecting Latinos in the 11-state Midwest region.
VIRGINIA has received numerous
awards and has volunteered to serve with many organizations and
boards over the years. She had the life-changing opportunity of
participating in the 1995 UN Conference on Women in Beijing and is a
frequent speaker on issues affecting Latinos. She is also the proud
mother of Miguel and Natalia.
MEMBERS appointed to serve on
the Illinois Latino Family Commission are:
Chairman Henry Martinez, Founder
& Director Latino Resources Institute; Elba Aranda-Suh,
Executive Director, National Latino Education Institute; Joseph
Antolin, Principal, Antolin & Associates Consulting Assets
Funders Network; Msgr. Michael Boland, Administrator/
President/CEO of Catholic Charities of
the Archdiocese of Chicago; Dr. Wanda Figueroa, Chief
Executive Officer, ASPIRA of Illinois; Angel Garcia, Attorney
at Law, Office of Angel Garcia; Raul Garza, Chief Executive
Officer, Aunt Martha's Youth Services Center and Health Center; Lucy
Gomez-Feliciano, Health Outreach Director, Logan Square
Neighborhood Association; Hon. Elizabeth Hernandez, State
Representative - 24th District; Rene Hernandez, Jr.,
Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois; Maria
Esther Lopez, Director of Institutional Advancement, El Valor;
Roberto Ramirez, President, The Jesus Guadalupe Foundation;
Dr. Derrick Wallery, Chief Executive Officer, Marque Medicos.
ILFC STAFF: Executive Director
Dr. Layla Suleiman Gonzalez, J.D., Senior Policy Analyst
Virginia Martinez, Esq., Policy Associate Veronica Reyes,
Community Engage ment and Media Ray Rubio and Executive
Assiciate Grace Leon.
THE ILLINOIS Latino Family
Commission [ILFC] is committed to promoting the health, wealth,
opportunity, and equality for Latinos across the State of Illinois.
The commission will work hand-in-hand with state government agencies,
community organizations, and legislators to strengthen current
language access policies, develop new policies, and create
best-practice models that will ensure meaningful access for Latinos.
FOR MORE information contact
the Illinois Latino Family Commission, 542 S. Dearborn St., Suite
750, Chicago, IL 60605. ILFC@illinois.gov
CALENDARS
OF EVENTS
EVERY WEDNESDAY—LVEJO Community
Pot Luck dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2727 S. Troy Ave. at Las
Semillas de Justicia Garden. You can bring your favorite dish. Open
to the public.
FRIDAY, JULY 11TH—Rooftop Outing,
Wrigley Field, 2:00 p.m. Cubs vs. Braves. Hosted by Rel-Elect Ariel
Reboyras Committee. Single Ticket: $250. Call 773/407-4732.
JUNE 27-SEPTEMBER 14, 2014—Chicago
Summer Dance, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave., between
Harrison St. & Balbo Drive from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dance to 35
different live bands and DJ's. Food and refreshment are available for
purchase. FREE TO EVERYONE. For band schedule log on:
chicagosummerdance.org
"ENJOY THE SUMMER"