Those in favor of the expansion believe the TIF district could help fix economic and developmental challenges, while those opposed think it may further gentrify the community and push long-standing residents out of the beloved enclave.

An extensive study on Chicago’s Mexican population. Is immigrant crime really on the rise? And as Chicagoans celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we hear who inspires you.

A study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals that immigrants have consistently been incarcerated at lower rates than U.S.-born citizens. However, so-called “migrant crime” has become a major talking point this election cycle.

“There wasn’t enough data there specifically about Mexicanos in Chicago,” said Jose Muñoz, CEO and executive director of La Casa Norte. “There were a lot of data sets about Latinos in general. But a lot of those conversations with the Mexican community were being lost.”

As Chicagoans celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, WTTW News wanted to hear from you about a Latino person who has influenced or inspired you.

A Starbucks is set to open at the Little Village Plaza — an area once filled with local vendors and businesses before it was sold to developers. Some residents said this is just the beginning of what will lead to gentrification, while others said the community should embrace the investment.

A little-known voting bloc may make a big splash in November: Latino evangelicals. Pushback over a Starbucks coming to Little Village. And celebrating Mexican Independence Day.

Latinos are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the country, and the demographic has become a key voting bloc to secure a candidate’s path to the White House. However, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may need to court a lesser-known subgroup: Latino evangelicals.

You’ve probably seen a lot of Mexican flags around Chicago this week. That’s because celebrations for Mexican Independence Day are kicking off this weekend. Some street closures and traffic disruptions are expected in parts of the city as thousands will participate in the festivities.

From mass deportation to a pathway to citizenship, immigration has been a defining issue in this year’s presidential campaign. 

We explore Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ immigration plans. And amid some major food recalls, a look at what can be done locally to access healthy foods.

For many, navigating how to lead a healthy life can be challenging. Efforts to encourage local food sourcing are creating broader opportunities to address health equity.

It wasn’t just politicians and celebrities who took the stage at last week’s Democratic National Convention. Advocates shared their stories about how gun violence has impacted their lives and inspired them to take action. Edgar Vilchez, 19, was one of those speakers.

The program allows undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card and eventually citizenship without leaving the country, a process known as “parole in place.” The White House estimated about 500,000 people were eligible for the program. 

“We make sure that all our bilingual books are written by Latino authors and that they speak to our experiences,” Laura Romaní said.

Chicago is facing a nearly billion-dollar budget shortfall. A local anti-violence advocate fresh off the DNC stage. And how a Chicago business owner is helping kids access bilingual books.