Chicago is one big party – If you’re Hispanic!

Chicago and Mexico

Mexico City has been a Chicago sister city since 1991. In addition to that, the 2005 racial demographics for Chicago show the city is 29% Hispanic, so it should come as no surprise that Chicago is hosting two Mexican Independence Day (9/16/07) parades instead of just one.

(Gee.. Aren’t we lucky???)
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Events to celebrate Mexican independence
September 8, 2007

To celebrate Mexico's Independence from Spain in 1821, the Latino community will host several events in Chicago.

The main one is the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade on Sept. 16 on the Near Southwest Side. The parade, which will begin at noon, will march on 26th Street from Albany to Kostner. The event will feature floats, Mexican food stalls, mariachi bands and dancing in the street.

The parade will end at the site of the 18th annual Festival de La Villita (Little Village Festival), running Thursday through Sept. 16, at 26th Street and Kostner. The first two days of the festival will primarily feature evening carnival rides, which will expand to a full-fledged community event on the final two days. More than 200 vendors will be on hand to offer Mexican food plus arts and crafts.

General festival admission is free. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Thursday; 6-11 p.m. Sept. 14 and noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16. For festival information, call (773) 868-3010; www.chicagoevents.com. For parade information, call (773) 521-5387.

The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago on the Gold Coast also is celebrating Mexican independence with a Mexican Festival continuing through Sunday. A special menu of Mexican cuisine is being featured in the hotel's Seasons, The Cafe and Lounge.

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Chicago's Racial Demographics

Chicago has the second largest Hispanic population, right after LA.

The Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC) has come out with its latest demographic figures for Chicago and Cook County. According to the MCIC Web site, the 2005 estimates for Cook County are:

2005 Cook County Demographics:
· Total Population: 5,330,123
· White NonHispanic: 2,371,899 (44%)
· Black or African American: 1,357,959 (25%)
· Hispanic or Latino: 1,188,672 (22%)
· Other Population: 798,330 (15%)
· Asian: 293,280 (6%)

According to the Chicago Tribune, the 2005 estimates for the City of Chicago are:

2005 Chicago Demographics:
· Total Population: 2,870,000
· Black or African American: 1,000,000 (34.8%)
· White NonHispanic: 850,702 (29.6%)
· Hispanic or Latino: 831,253 (29%)
· Other Population: 565,562 (19.7%)
· Asian: 141,890 (4.9%)

NOTE: Keep in mind, though, that these demographic figures do not add up to one hundred. It's possible black Hispanics, for example, can quality under both "Hispanic or Latino" and "Black or African American." In that case, individual minority figures might have to be taken with a bit of skepticism.