Illinois State Mobil Unit, Temporary Visitors Driver's License Information, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez Birthday Party/Golf Outing, Enroll America, Calendar of Events

         STATE MOBILE UNIT: The Illinois Secretary of State Mobile Unit will be at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th St. on Friday, August 22, 2014. The mobile unit will provide the following services to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to:

• Renewal/Correction of driver’s license
• New/renewal/correction of State ID
• License plate stickers
• Motor voter registration with renewal of DL/ID
• Organ donor registration with renewal DL/ID
• Senior age 65 and up [no charge for state ID]
• Seniors age 75 and up—need to visit DMV to renew driver’s license.

          PROPER identification will be needed for the above services. 

          INFORMATION will be available on the Temporary Visitors Driver's License [TVDL] for people undocumented.

          DRIVER'S LICENSE/State I.D. Card Fees:

Basic Driver's License/Renewal............................................................$30

Commercial Driver's License Renewal [CDL]......................................$60

Driver's License for persons age 18-20...................................................$5

Driver's License for persons age 21-68..................................................$30

Driver's License for persons age 69-80...................................................$5

Driver's License for persons age 81-86...................................................$2

Driver's License for persons age 87 and older....................................FREE

Corrected or Duplicate Driver's License or Permit...............................$5

Renewal M or L classification [motorcycle].........................................$5

State ID—Issued for Five Years...........................................................$20

Correction—State I.D. Issued.............................................................$10

Duplicate State I.D. Issued..................................................................$20

State I.D.--for persons 17 & Under......................................................$10

State I.D.--for persons 18-64................................................................$20

State I.D.--for persons 65 or older.....................................................FREE

State I.D.--for persons with disability issued......................................FREE

State I.D.--for persons Homeless.......................................................FREE

          FORM OF PAYMENTS: Cash, check, credit cards accepted [American Express, Master Card, and Discover, NO VISA].

          ACCEPTABLE identification documents [photocopies are not accepted] are proof of legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and residency when applying for a driver's license/ID card.

          SPECIAL SERVICE: Secretary of State DUI [Driving Under the Influence] Hearing Officer Rosanna Tanon will be on the site to give DUI information. Doors open at 9 a.m.

           

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez at her Golf Outing holding her
 2-month old granddaughter, Vittoria Petrola.

          BIRTHDAY PARTY: State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez [D-24^th District] supporters celebrated Rep. Hernandez's birthday at her 4^th Annual Golf Outing fund raiser on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at GlenEagles Golf Course in Lemont, IL.

         

Lisa & Charlie Hernandez

THE GOLF outing featured 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch at the 9^th hole, an open bar from 2 until 4 p.m., buffet dinner at 4 p.m.and raffles throughout the evening. It was an enjoyable day.

           OVER 250 guests attended the event attracted 175 golfers. “The outing was a success, and it gets bigger and better every year,” said husband Democratic Committeeman of Cicero, Charles Hernandez.

            THE SURPRISE of the day was the arrival of Rep. Hernandez's 2-month old granddaughter, Vittoria Petrola and her mother Jackie. It was a precious moment for Rep. Hernandez who immediately embraced her granddaughter as soon as she came into the room.

            AFTER DINNER, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Rep. Hernandez. She successfully blew out all the birthday cake candles and everyone cheered. A lot of raffle prizes were given away; and everyone had a good time.

Steven Venick

           ENROLL AMERICA: Steven Venick, organizer for Illinois Enroll America, is placing “Drop Boxes” in businesses in order for interested customers to share their contact information with him regarding the Enroll America program. The “Get Covered America” campaign focuses on raising public awareness and engaging consumers about the new affordable health insurance options available under the Affordable Care Act.

          YOU ARE ENCOURAGED to “drop” your contact information in the drop box. There is a “Drop Box” at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th St., Chicago.

          “OUR CAMPAIGN has already partnered with a number of private businesses, from local grocery stores and restaurants, to large organizations like CVS and Kmart,” said Venick.

          FOR MORE information, call Steve Venick at 312/802-2011 or e-mail svenick@enrollamerica.org

                                               CALENDAR OF EVENTS

           THURSDAY, JULY 31—42nd Annual “Fiesta de Sol”, the largest Latino festival in the Midwest, 1400 W. Cermak Road [Pilsen] starting at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1—11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., SATURDAY, AUGUST 2—11 a.m. to 11 p.m. SUNDAY, AUGUST 3—11 a.m. to 10 p.m. FREE ADMISSION. For more information log onto fiestadesol.org.

            SUNDAY, AUGUST 3—Trio Los Primos musical event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. Sponsored by SSA #25. FREE.

            SUNDAY, AUGUST 10—Mariachi Tapatio musical event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. Sponsored by SSA #25. FREE.

            SUNDAY, AUGUST 17—Trio Los Primos musical event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. Sponsored by SSA#25. FREE

         

            UNO CARRERA: Mark your calendar. The United Neighborhood Organization [UNO] has announced that registration is now open for the 8^th Annual UNO 5K Carrera De Los Muetros [Race of the Dead] scheduled for November 1, 2014 at 8 a.m. in Pilsen, Chicago.

           Last year's 7^th Annual UNO 5K over 5,500 runners registered for the Carrera de los Muertos; and hundreds dressed in Dia de los Muertos costumes [skull makeup, etc.] cheered them on. Runners ran through the streets of Pilsen and University Village.

          It’s a festive event. Visit the Race of the Dead Facebook Page for more updates. Visit www.raceofthedead.com and YouTube.

Guns & Gangs, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, Hispanic Advisory Council, Rafael Malpica, Brian Holmes, Alejandro Valadez, Valadez Law, 22nd Annual El Humanitario Award Ceremony, 6th Annual Unity in the Community Conference, Calendar of Events

Anita Alvarez & Rafael Malpica

           GUNS & GANGS: On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, Cook County State's Attorney, Anita Alvarez, met with members of her Hispanic Advisory Council. The meeting was held in a Conference Room in the George W. Dunne Building, 69 W. Washington Ave., downtown Chicago. State's Attorney Alvarez opened the meeting with welcoming remarks followed by a report on a case involving Human Trafficking; an initiative funded by a federal grant.

           ALVAREZ reported that her office prosecuted 10 defendants involved in human trafficking. “All 10 pleaded guilty because the evidence against them was strong,” she said. Wiretap, surveillance and audiotapes were used to make the case against the defendants. The offenders could not believe their criminal activities were being watched. All defendants were all charged with the Class X felony of Aggravated Traficking in Persons. Trafficking a total of 16 victims, including 11 children and five young adults.

          STATE’S ATTORNEY ALVAREZ introduced Rafael Malpica as the new Chairman of State's Attorney Hispanic Advisory Council. Chairman Malpica also welcomed the members of the Council. “The goal of the Council is to represent our community and to collaborate between communities,” said Malpica.

            GUEST SPEAKER was Deputy Supervisor, Brian Holmes, Gang Crimes Unit and Project Safe Neighborhoods, a division of the Cook County State's Attorney office. He spoke on the issue of “Guns & Gangs” and said there is a lot of discussion in Springfield on what to do about our current gun laws. “More young people are being charged with guns; and more people are killed by guns in Chicago in a weekend than in Iraqi or Afghanistan,” said Holmes. Holmes said some young people, between 17-20 years of age, are not hardening criminals. “They get into a car and get into trouble,” he said.

          DEPUTY SUPERVISOR HOLMES receives a report every week, with over 100 sheets, on gun crimes committed in Cook County. “I check every one,” he said “Guns are coming into [Chicago] from Indiana, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Alabama, mostly southern states. A gun crime is a 2 to 10 years in jail. Holmes said a serious gun offense is the unlawful use of a gun by a gang member, a Class X Felony, a 6 to 30 year jail sentence under the Valadez Law, a non-probational sentence. Homes reported that most gun crimes are committed in Police Districts 4, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 15. Little Village is in Police District 10.

Alejandro "Alex"  Valadez

           VALADEZ LAW: In 2010, the Valadez Law was enacted in memory of Officer Alejandro Valadez. The law mandates that any gang member found to be in the unlawful possession of a firearm must serve a prison sentence. Police Officer Alejandro “Alex” Valadez, 27, was a 3-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, District 7. After midnight on June 1, 2009, Valadez and his partner, Officer Thomas Vargas, responded to gunshots at the 6000 block of South Hermitage Ave. Alex was shot twice. He died at Stronger Hospital. Charged with the shooting were Kevin Walker, 25, the driver of a car and Shawn Gaston, 24 and Christopher Harris, 24. Gaston was sentenced to 125 years in prison, Walker to 120 years and Harris to 105 years in prison.

           IN CONCLUSION: State's Attorney Alvarez said a young person told her an amazing thing. He said, “We got to put “neighbor” back into neighborhood to make our block safer. “Today, gun owners must report if their gun is stolen or lost. It is the law, you report your bike or car if it's stolen,” said Alvarez.

          COOK COUNTY State's Attorney Hispanic Advisory Council members are Ed Arroyo, Freddy Calixto, Salvador A. Cicero, Neusa Gaytan, Michael J. Hernandez, Jose Isais, Rafael Malpica, Francisco Menchaca, Nora Moreno Cargie, Martha O'Bryan, Maria-Teresa Roman, Victoria Romero, August Sallas, Lupe Sanchez, John B. Valencia, Blanca Vargas, Tito Vargas.

          CHRISTINE CHAN, Deputy Director, Community Outreach & Special Events, announced that she is accepting nominations until August 8, 2014 of a Hispanic Attorney serving in the Hispanic Community to be honored at the State's Attorney's 22^nd Annual El Humanitario Award Ceremony. For details on how to submit your nomination, call Christine Chan at 312/603-8724. Chan also announced the upcoming 6^th Annual Unity in the Community Conference to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Public invited.

                                     CALENDAR OF EVENTS

          SATURDAY, JULY 26--- Free Haircuts & Manicure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th St. No appointment necessary.

          SUNDAY, JUL7 27--- Chicagoland Toys for Tots Picnic and Pig Roast from 10 a.m. until dusk, at White Eagle Woods, Grove 2, 7317 40^th St., Lyons, IL. All ages are welcome. B.Y.O.B. Food: Pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, grilled corn. Meals start at $3. Games: for children of every age. Car & Bike Show: Free entry and admission. Kids pick the winners. Live Entertainment: Ground Control, Superfly Redneck. Featuring “They Found Us” and “Whiskey Road”. Bean Bags: Bring a teammate or find one here. $10 per person. Dunk Tank. Douse one of your favorite board members. For more information call George Lester Fortier Jr. 708/308-4661 or Sharon D. Allen – 773/517-5896. Come and join the fun!

           SUNDAY, JULY 27--- Mariachi Tapatio musical event at the Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. from 4 p.m. To 6 p.m. Sponsored by the SSA #25 Commission. Open to the public.

           SUNDAY, AUGUST 3—Trio Los Primos musical event at the Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. from 4 p.m. To 6 p.m. Sponsored by the SSA #25 Commission. Open to the public.

          THRSDAY, JULY 31--42^h Annual “Fiesta de Sol”, the largest Latino festival in the Midwest, 1400 W. Cermak Road [Pilsen] starting at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1—11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., SATURDAY, AUGUST 2—11 a.m. to 11 p.m. SUNDAY, AUGUST 3—11 a.m. to 10 p.m. FREE ADMISSION. For more information log fiestadesol.org.

President Barack Obama's Agenda, Balance Budget, Affordable Care Act, Comprehensive Immigration Law, House Speaker John Boehner Lawsuit, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk Shameful Idea, In Memoriam, Alan J. Dixon, Calendar of Event

  

          MY OPINION: It’s obvious to me that the Republican's game-plan since 2009 has been to undermine President Obama's agenda. Many, if not all, Republicans in Congress are mean-spirited obstructionist; doing nothing to solve the problems of America. Ironically these Republican Party members believe they are being constructive?!

          FOR EXAMPLE, our nation saw this behavior during the national budget crisis. Republicans would rather shut-down the government than find a real solution in balancing the budget. This strategy cost taxpayers $18.9 Billion. We continue to hear Republicans criticize and attack the Affordable Care Act, a law passed by Congress, signed by President Obama and upheld by the Supreme Court on June 28, 2012. Now, Republicans are blocking the passage of a Comprehensive Immigration law.

          IMMIGRATION issue: Yes, President Obama made the campaign promise that would give us [Mexicans] a comprehensive immigration law. However, as President Obama talks about immigration reform or as much as he tries to have an immigration bill voted on, House Speaker John Boehner [R-OH] refuses to bring it up for a vote. One thing is clear, Boehner is afraid of the “Tea Party” members within the Republican Party. They are adamant in their thinking and will not reason. For this, we cannot blame President Obama for not being able to keep his promise.

          THE MAINSTREAM media have quoted many Republicans saying that a comprehensive immigration bill is dead, but we know they are playing politics. The real reason Republicans continue to create obstacles and make-up excuses, for not supporting Immigration Reform, is because they know that the immigrants of today will become future Democratic voters. It’s all about the vote!

          THERE’S MORE…Now, Speaker John Boehner wants to file a lawsuit against President Obama because Obama is using his “Executive Powers”. “Executive Powers” are the president's constitutional powers to issue executive orders, which carry the authority of law but do not have to be approved by Congress. President Obama has issued 175 executive orders to date. He signed fewer in his first term than George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan in their first terms.

          PRESIDENT OBAMA calls the lawsuit a “stunt”. I call it a waste of taxpayer's money and time. Boehner said he will introduce legislation in the House later this month that would allow the House to sue President Obama. More drama.

          SHAME: Our Illinois U.S. Senator, Mark Kirk [R-IL], recently announced he wants all the undocumented children from South America, who have crossed the Mexican border into America, be given a criminal background check. These are children! Instead of treating these children like criminals, we should treat them as humanely as possible before sending them back to their country of origin. Isn't America a compassionate country? What does the sonnet inscribed on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”? This is a shameful idea coming from a United Sates Senator.

         

Alan J. Dixon

           IN MEMORIAM: Former Illinois U.S. Senator, Alan J. Dixon, 86, [1927-2014] died Sunday, July 6, 2014 at his downstate home. Dixon had a 40 year political career. His detractors ridiculed him as “Al the Pal,” but his friends and supporters did not see it as an insult. Gov. Quinn called Sen. Dixon “a statesman, warm and friendly.” He was a real friend of the Latino/Mexican community.

          WHEN SEN. Dixon was the Democratic candidate for Illinois State Secretary of State he was endorsed by the Hispanic American Labor Council, overwhelmingly. As Secretary of State, Alan was the first Secretary to create a Secretary of State Hispanic Advisory Council for the office. He said he wanted to know what issues were affecting the Hispanic community in the Secretary of State's facilities. I was honored to be Chairman of the Hispanic Advisory Council.

          THE SECRETARY of State Hispanic Advisory Council made two recommendations to Secretary Dixon. At that time clerks in the Secretary of State's Driving facilities were confiscating documents from Mexicans who were applying for driving license; alleging that the documents looked bogus. The Hispanic Advisory Council requested that the clerks cease the confiscation of any documents from members of our Mexican community because they were not federal agents. Dixon agreed. He issued a stop order to all facilities. The second recommendation was for more bilingual clerks at the driver's facilities.

          IN AN INTERVIEW last year, Alan Dixon said, “We don't have any bipartisanship now. We've just got everybody mad at one another. There is no speaking.” Sadly, bipartisanship is missing in Washington, D.C. today. Dixon said, “Our representatives need to sit down and make a deal.”

          MY PERSONAL friendship with Alan J. Dixon will never be forgotten. He was a “pal.”

_______________________________________________________________

                                               CALENDAR OF EVENT

                               FREE HAIRCUTS

                                                    AND 

                               MANICURES

                      Sabado 26 de Julio 2014 

                       10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

                      Saturday, July 26, 2014

            CORTE DE PELO y manicura, completamente GRATIS.

El Concilio de la Villita, 3610 W. 26^th St. las invita, al evento de

Los esperamos.

              LITTLE VILLAGE residents are cordially invited to

 the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th from


10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for FREE haircuts and manicures.

                       FREE      FREE      GRATIS     GRATIS

________________________________________________________________

Carlos Martin Jimenez Macias, Consulate General of Mexico, Passaporte, Matricula Consular, Nacimiento/Doble Nacionalidad, Actos Natariales, Carde de Electro, Consulado General de Mexico En Chicago Servicios, Happy 4th of July

Consul of Mexico Carlos Macias & Augustine Sallas

          A JOINT VENTURE: A meeting was held Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in the office of the Consulate General of Mexico, Carlos Martin Jimenez Macias, and with representatives of the Little Village Community Council. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the Office of the Mexican Consulate could bring their many services to the Mexican community of Little Village. Little Village is the largest Mexican community in Chicago and in the Midwest.

          OUTLINED in a letter given to Consul Macias, the Little Village Community Council requested the following: [1] Passaporte [2] Matricula Consular [3] Nacimiento/Doble Nacionalidad [4] Actos Natariales [5] Carde de Electro/ Voters Registration card.

          CONSUL MACIAS, along with his two assistants, were very understanding and open to our requests. The Consulate does have a Mobile Unit but it will only travel to Mexican communities 90 miles away from the Consulate's office. For example, Joliet, Aurora, and Elgin. Since Little Village is in close proximity to the Mexican Consulate's office, which is located at 204 S. Ashland Avenue, our neighborhood does not qualify for the Mobile Unit.

          HOWEVER, CONSUL Macias said he would check with his superiors, in Mexico, to request authorization to take the Mobile Unit to Little Village. “We would not be able to do all the services you are requesting, but maybe one of them a year,” said Macias. I suggested starting with the Matricula Consular card. The Matricula cost $27. A six-year Mexican passport cost $101. Many residents have been requesting both at the Little Village Community Council office.

          ANOTHER POSSIBILITY being explored: Macias said his staff would be willing to teach Little Village volunteers to know what documents a person must bring to the Consulate office. This has been a time-consuming issue that Macias’ staff faces daily. If a person does not bring the necessary documents to the Consulate's office for a service he/she would leave the Consulate empty handed, only to make another trip back to the Consulate. Macias would like to see the process streamlined by Little Village volunteers.

          AN OPEN invitation was given to Consul Macias to come and meet with Little Village residents to discuss their concerns. Macias said he would check his calendar.

          REPRESENTATING the Little Village Community Council was Augustine Sallas, President and Norma Calderon, Secretary. The meeting lasted one hour.

CONSULADO GENERAL DE

MEXICO EN CHICAGO

204 S. ASHLAND AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60607

PHONE: 312/738-2383

HORAS: 8:30 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

SERVICIO COSTO Pasaporte Ordinario por 3 años* 74.00 Pasaporte Ordinario por 6 años* 101.00 Matrícula Consular 27.00 OP-7 (permiso de los padres) Gratis Cartilla del Servicio Militar Nacional Gratis Duplicado o Correción de Cartilla 11.00 Menaje de Casa a Mexicanos 95.00 Registro de Nacimiento Gratis Registro de Defunción Gratis Registro de Matrimonio 43.00 Copia Certificada de Registro Civil 13.00 Declaración de Nacionalidad Mexicana 15.00 Duplicado de Declaración de Nacionalidad 8.00 Poder Notarial Persona Física 115.00 Poder Notarial Persona Moral (compañías) 173.00 Testamento Público Abierto 294.00 Testamento Público Cerrado 40.00 Recepción de Testamento Ológrafo 147.00 Renuncia a Derechos Hereditarios 115.00 Certificado de Importación de Psicotrópicos 62.00 Certificado de Análisis, Libre Venta, Origen y Médicos 43.00 Certificado a Petición de Parte 62.00 Certificado de Supervivencia a Pensionados Mexicanos Gratis Presunción de Nacionalidad Mexicana Gratis Autorización de personas que ejerzan patria potestad o tutela a menores de edad o incapaces 44.00 Visado a Pasaportes Extranjeros 36.00 FM-3 (Actividades No Lucrativas) 98.00 FM-3 (Actividades Lucrativas) 159.00 Menaje de Casa a Extranjeros 127.00 * LAS PERSONAS MAYORES DE 60 AÑOS Y CON DISCAPACIDAD COMPROBADA PAGARÁN EL 50% DE LAS CUOTAS ESTABLECIDAS. (Pasaporte) El pago puede ser realizado con tarjeta de débito o crédito (VISA, MASTER CARD o DISCOVER) Al igual que en efectivo. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY