Mexican consul in city to meet nationals
Patrick Svitek
The Journal Gazette
Published: August 29, 2011 3:00 a.m.

When Eduardo Arnal was appointed Mexican consul in Chicago in June, he set a lofty goal usually reserved for presidential hopefuls: Visit 128 counties in the tri-state area.

He crossed the 5 percent mark Sunday morning at his sixth location, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Fort Wayne. From the parish hall, his staff offered passport, legal and labor services as part of a mobile consulate tour to promote cultural integration.

Arnal, casually dressed in a blue-striped Polo, faded jeans and navy boat shoes, acknowledged the campaign objective will not be an easy task.

He estimated it could take nearly three years to plan meaningful appearances at the 128 counties in his jurisdiction spanning regions of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

“But it’s my goal, and I want to be close with my nationals,â€