News Articles

Jan 23 2025

‘Mexico of the Midwest’ fears of ICE raids

Chicago Busy Chicago district known as ‘Mexico of the Midwest’ turns into ghost town as fears of ICE raids loom Little Village, a two-miles stretch lined with nearly 500 businesses on Chicago's 26th Street, has seen massive drop in foot traffic By Bonny Chu , Danielle Wallace Fox News Published January 22, 2025 1:52pm EST Foot traffic has dropped significantly in Chicago’s predominantly Latino community, Little Village, also known as the "Mexico of the Midwest," ...
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Jan 23 2025

Chicago Community Braces for Possible Deportations of Illegal Immigrants

By Lawrence Wilson January 23, 2025 CHICAGO—Residents of Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the days following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. People are anxious about what the days ahead will bring, either for themselves or for loved ones, according to local leaders who are helping all immigrants prepare for the expected operations by Immigration and ...
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Jan 23 2025

Groups try easing fears over possible raids

Full Article Immigration ‘High alert': Chicago groups try easing fears as worry grows over possible raids Neighborhood groups say they are standing in solidarity with the undocumented community by providing resources and assistance as they prepare for possible raids in Chicago. By Vi Nguyen • Published January 21, 2025 • Updated on January 21, 2025 at 6:37 pm Some people in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood are mobilizing ahead of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans. Neighborhood groups say they ...
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Jan 23 2025

Chicago Community Braces for Possible Deportations of Illegal Immigrants

Chicago Community Braces for Possible Deportations of Illegal Immigrants Local leaders say illegal immigrants should know their rights, cooperate within the law, and make a plan for the care of their children. CHICAGO—Residents of Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the days following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Complete article here >>
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Jan 17 2025

5 Walgreens stores closing on Chicago’s South, West side

Closures will affect residents in Chicago's predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods. 4005 W. 26th St. in Little Village is one of the 5 locations closing. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A pharmacy giant is closing five stores in Chicago. Those locations are part of more than a thousand under-performing stores being closed by Walgreens nationwide. The closures will affect residents in Chicago's predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, where the stores are slated to ...
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Jan 17 2025

Burdeens Chicago Opens Second Shop in Little Village

Burdeens Chicago Sports Apparel Shop Expands, Opening Second Shop In Little Village The shop brings exclusive Chicago and Mexican sports apparel and hats to the heart of 26th Street. Owners Gerardo and Rolando Alvarez have worked in the apparel business since they were teens. LITTLE VILLAGE — A new specialty sports hats and apparel shop is joining 26th Street’s bustling commercial corridor. Burdeens Chicago, owned by brothers Gerardo and Rolando ...
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Jan 17 2025

The Story of Little Village – WTTW

The Story of Little Village Officially part of the South Lawndale community area, the Little Village neighborhood is brimming with Mexican-American culture. Before it was known as “La Villita,” Little Village saw an influx of German, Czech, and Polish immigrants following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. At that time, many people worked in the nearby factories, and it has been a working-class community ever since. In the 1970s, Little Village started ...
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Dec 6 2024

A Snapshot Of Latino Business Power In Chicago – Forbes.com

It’s people like Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood native, who see the impact of Latino-owned businesses in Chicago daily. Nestled in Chicago’s southwest side, Little Village is home to a community that is more than 80 percent Latino and highly entrepreneurial. Much so, that in past years its iconic corridor, 26th Street, has been reported to rake in $900M in annual revenue – all in the span ...
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Nov 21 2024

El Callejon Del Beso, Little Village Family’s New Restaurant, A Dream Realized The restaurant in suburban Cicero, owned by Alejandro Ballesteros, his father and his uncle, is the first to launch out of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce’s De La Mano business advisory program

Block Club Chicago The first to launch out of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce’s De La Mano business advisory program. by Francia Garcia Hernandez LITTLE VILLAGE — A dream came true for a Little Village family as they celebrated the ribbon cutting Saturday of their new Mexican restaurant, El Callejon del Beso, in suburban Cicero. El Callejon del Beso, 5827 W. 16th St. in Cicero, specializes in Mexican-style barbecued and ...
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Sep 13 2024

Chicago weekend events: Mexican Independence Day, Englewood Music Fest, Tems

This weekend, celebrate Mexican tradition and culture, attend a music festival on the South Side and catch Grammy winner Tems in concert. 1. 🇲🇽 Mexican Independence Day celebrations Mexican Independence Day is on Monday but will be celebrated all over Chicago this weekend. Here are a few of the parades and festivals in honor of the occasion: 🪩 El Grito: This celebration will take place 2–10pm Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park. It will feature ...
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