Rogers Park spans Lake Michigan on Chicago’s north side and borders Evanston and Edgewater. The neighborhood is known for its racial and cultural diversity. More than 55,600 people live there, and nearly 23% are Latino or Hispanic. Among the many in the community who call Rogers Park home is 26-year-old Adolfo Lasso.
Born in Chicago and of Ecuadorian descent, Lasso is a sales executive. “Voting is a way to voice concerns about issues like immigration, healthcare, and education,” he said. “It’s also a chance to support candidates who prioritize equity and representation for all communities. Every vote matters, and participants can help drive crucial change to make this country better.”
According to Statista, the population of Hispanic and Latino citizens in Illinois is around 2.38 million. Nationally, about 36 million Latinos are eligible to participate in the election, representing 15% of eligible voters. Lasso describes his biggest concerns as a Latino living in the United States as immigration policy, discrimination and racism, economic equality, access to health care, and political representation.
“Each vote contributes to the overall outcome, and when many people in a community participate, it amplifies our collective voice,” Lasso said. “Elections can be decided by a small number of votes, so every ballot counts, especially in close races.”
Angela Andrea Campuzano Fernandez was born in Cali, Colombia, and has lived in Rogers Park for 6 months.
“My biggest concerns for the country as a Latina living in America is the cost of living, interest rates, and the housing market going up, making it difficult to own land and live comfortably,” Fernandez said. “I used to believe the public vote didn’t matter, but that was before someone explained the way voting worked in America. I now believe our votes matter more than ever.”
Richard Martinez, a current law student at Loyola University Chicago and of Mexican descent, works as a legal assistant at a law firm downtown. He expressed his drive to vote and make an impact as a 22-year-old US citizen.
“My biggest concern is the amount of people that fall victim to hateful and divisive rhetoric. There’s a serious lack of education that remains a common theme in this country,” Martinez said. “We’ve seen it historically when immigrant groups come to this country for better opportunities and are shunned because of their differences or just a lack of understanding of their worth. Eventually, they assimilate, but the pattern continues.”
The 2024 Presidential Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5th. Your vote is your voice, and it’s more important than ever. Click here to register to vote in Illinois or check your registration status. If you decide to vote by mail, the deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Oct. 31. You can apply online here to vote by mail in this election.
Cover Photo: Pictured is the heart of Rogers Park, N Clark St and W Greenleaf Ave, featuring multiple Hispanic and Latino businesses along the strip. (Photographed by Marija Kraljevic)