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Mexico colors may light up city


Charles Sheehan

August 21, 2005

CHICAGO -- Mexican Independence Day may finally get the same skyline tribute afforded to St. Patrick's Day, the 4th of July and championship teams in Chicago.

During a radio interview last month, Javier Salas, host of WRTO-AM 1200's "Un Nuevo Dia," asked Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn whether it might be a good idea for the city to show some red, white and green on Sept. 15-16.

Quinn thought showing the colors of the Mexican flag would be a good idea, given the rich history of Mexican culture in Chicago. His office put in a call to Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, the group that represents 95 percent of all office buildings in the city.

Ron Vukas, executive vice president, thought it was a good idea, too.

"If it's a legitimate group or a legitimate cause and something we feel is good for the city, we always ask our members to participate."

But firing up extra lighting on Sept. 15 can be expensive, and participation is voluntary, he said.

There are more than 530,000 Mexicans living in Chicago and more than 1 million in the Chicago metropolitan area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mexican Independence Day celebrates the 1810 revolt against Spanish rule led by Rev. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

"Mexicans have been here in Chicago since the 19th Century, but many people think we just showed up 10 years ago," Salas said. "I got to thinking last year that it would be a great idea to illuminate the city ... just like the Irish."