CHICAGO – As a way to inform constituents about the issues affecting Illinois’ Latino community, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation (ILLCF) will host a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 pm at Northeastern Illinois University’s Alumni Student Union Building, located at 3701 N. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago.

“Due to the times we’re living through, it’s important that we communicate the steps that we have taken to ensure that regardless of what happens in Washington, the Latino community can continue to prosper in Illinois,” state Rep. Fred Crespo, Co-Chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus said. “Our goal is to give the community a clear understanding about what’s happening in Springfield and answer any questions families may have. I encourage everyone to join us and be a part of the conversation so we can make sure that all voices are being heard in Springfield.”

Join the ILLCF, and business and community leaders to discuss the extraordinary year in politics, and be part of the discussion about the issues affecting the Latino community, including the economy, education, healthcare and immigration. Additionally, elected officials will be on hand to discuss how they have taken action at the state and local level to mitigate the effect of harmful policies being pushed at the federal level.

The event will be moderated and live streamed on Facebook by Univision Chicago. Admission is free, but attendees must register online at www.illcf.net

For more information, visit the foundation’s website at www.illcf.net or call 224-366-8512.

By State Representative John D’Amico

Having spent my entire life living in the area around Northeastern Illinois University, I understand Northeastern’s meaning to the countless young people it’s educated – from the students who were once told college was too expensive, to the parents beaming with pride at commencement as they watch their child become the family’s first college graduate.

That’s why I am disgusted at what the Northeastern community has had to endure for the past three years: canceled classes, cuts to services and most recently mass layoffs.

The recent layoffs at Northeastern included critical support staff that assist students with class registration, financial aid and graduation requirements. Now, if Illinois doesn’t pass a budget soon, then Northeastern will probably see increased layoffs.

All the cuts stem from a three-year budget impasse. Gov. Rauner has decided to hold funding hostage to his corporate agenda. The impasse has led Northeastern in the past two years to receive less than half the funding it received in 2015 alone. I opposed these vicious cuts and fought to restore full funding to keep college affordable and solidify Illinois’ status as a leader in higher education.

Illinois’ greatest resource is neither its large corporate skyscrapers nor the fuels buried deep beneath the ground – its greatest resource is its people. And when we invest in our people, especially our young people, there is no limit to what we can achieve.