Following are lessons I learned from the Ethnic News Media workshop at Community Media Workshop. I am sharing this information not only to enlighten you, but to help you in your decision making in this upcoming mayoral and aldermanic race. I want to encourage you to REALLY listen to the people and determine which one has your best interest at heart.

Community Issues
• Community journalists need to discuss issues that are important to the people.
• There is an increase in crime in ALL communities in Chicago; not just the ones you see on TV. Check Every Block Chicago for specifics.
• Records show that whites are the minority in Chicago.
• Hunger in Illinois has increased greatly. There are more than 800,000 people receiving SNAP benefits.
• Many are people working living wage jobs with no way to fully provide for their families.

Politics
• Politics in Chicago is racially loaded.
• The voter turnout in black communities is approximately 30% and between 14% – 17% in Hispanic communities.
• There will be community redistricting based on census results. There will be further divisions in the city.
• Research your own data. Do not use what the politicians are saying.

Immigration
• Many immigrants are NOT undocumented.
• Many immigrants flew to the United States; they did not attempt to cross the border illegally.
• There are more Polish and Irish documentation violators, but they have political protection. Mexicans, Haitians and Africans are not the main culprits as mainstream media would have you to believe.

Chinese Issues
• Chinatown does not have its own ward. It is broken down into three different wards.
• There is a lack of Chinese representation in politics.

Foreclosures
• There are over 150,000 foreclosures in Illinois with approximately 60,000 of them in Chicago.
• In some communities, more than 50% of the homes on a block are foreclosed.
• There is a huge increase in the consolidation of families.
• DON’T leave your home if you receive a foreclosure notice. There is a lengthy process between the time you get that notice and the time you have to vacate.

Health Care
• Transportation on the South Side makes it difficult to get to Stroger hospital.
• There are very few trauma centers on the South Side of Chicago which could be deadly with the high rate of violence.
• Not confirmed by stated: people die in hospital waiting rooms waiting for care.

State Budget
• How many social service organizations are starved for funds?
• Who’s going to fight for those funds?
• Have banks lent money to these organizations so they can continue to operate and serve the community?

TIF Funds
• Do you know what TIF is? We need to find out what it is and what the funds are used for.

Schools
• An elected school board is being proposed because currently public schools are being run from the Mayor’s office.
• More understanding about charter schools is needed.
• Vote no to vouchers. They take money from public schools to give to private and Catholic schools.

General thought
• This whole election is being run from the White House.

What are your thoughts on these issues? Do you have any more to add?