About

Recent increases in immigration enforcement and anti-immigrant rhetoric have placed families, small businesses, and community organizations under significant strain. These pressures threaten not only hard-fought progress, but also the people and cultures that have long shaped Chicago’s neighborhoods.

 

Mexican communities are at the center of this moment. Mexicans are the largest immigrant group in Chicago and a cornerstone of the city’s workforce, culture, and neighborhoods. Yet they remain disproportionately vulnerable to immigration enforcement, economic instability, and social marginalization.

 

Our Chicago responds to this reality with urgency and collaboration. Led by Latinos Progresando and grounded in deep relationships across communities, the initiative brings together nonprofits, legal advocates, artists, and local partners to:

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• Expand access to legal protection
   

• Support families facing economic and emotional hardship
   

• Strengthen neighborhood small businesses and commercial corridors
   

• Elevate community stories and cultural memory
   

While the initiative centers Mexican communities, the work includes and benefits immigrants and residents across Chicago. By investing in community-based solutions and cross-sector partnerships, Our Chicago aims to build a more resilient, inclusive future for the entire region.

 

Latinos Progresando serves as the convener of Our Chicago. With nearly three decades of experience providing immigration legal services and community programming, the organization brings deep expertise and trusted relationships across Chicago’s neighborhoods.

 

Latinos Progresando has a strong track record of building collaborative initiatives that unite nonprofits, health providers, schools, businesses, artists, and advocates. The organization also administers pooled philanthropic funds that support community partners, including large-scale direct assistance efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and cross-community initiatives like the Excellerator Fund.