Intro
In reporting on issues of civic participation among Chicago’s immigrant communities, City Bureau’s elections team investigates how these communities have access and trust in the democratic process, and the response from institutions of government to the needs of these constituents. Our reporting has included rights to language access at the polls, the question over citywide broadband access and social services on the line in the vote over the fair tax amendment.
Our Stories
[South Side Weekly] Though the Southwest Side changed from majority-white to majority-Latinx in the last few decades, resources and political representation haven’t followed. These residents are looking to change that.
Analysts offer insight into the failure of the so-called “fair tax” amendment.
[Chicago Reader] From voter outreach to working for their communities, undocumented immigrants across the Chicago area don’t let their immigration status get in the way of participating politically.
Amid a pandemic and spike in anti-Asian attacks, being an election judge in 2020 was about supporting democracy and taking a stance against racism.
These organizations supported the amendment for a graduated income tax, but now must find ways to support their communities after election loss.
[INN] Los inmigrantes de todos los orígenes étnicos y diferente estatus legal tienen interés en la votación sobre la enmienda fiscal justa. Esto es lo que algunos defensores de los inmigrantes en Chicago tienen que decir al respecto.
For undocumented immigrants, a graduated income tax may even out a system they pay into but rarely benefit from.
[Block Club Chicago] Immigrants of all ethnic backgrounds and varying legal status have a stake in the vote over the fair tax amendment. Here’s what some advocates for immigrants in Chicago had to say about it.
[Chicago in Arabic] الخدمات الاجتماعية تسعى في الصراع من أجل تحقيق ضريبة عادلة
The pandemic poses new challenges for voter participation in the Chinatown area with a history of low voter turnout.
About the Reporting Team
Alex Arriaga is a yearlong Civic Reporting Resident at City Bureau covering a beat about how immigrants are participating in civic life. Lily Qi, Paco Alvarez and Lynda Lopez are Fall 2020 Civic Reporting Fellows.