Chicago, IL – To kick off the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement:
“As a proud first-generation Mexican-American, Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration for me—it’s a reminder that our history, our labor, and our leadership are what makes our state strong. With one of the largest Latino populations and more than 100,000 Latino-owned businesses, our community is creating jobs, driving our cities forward, and powering our economy every single day.
While we honor all that we’ve built, we can’t ignore the current reality: our community is under attack. Fear is being weaponized against Latinos through ICE raids that terrorize working families, businesses, and cultural events. This isn’t about safety or law—it’s about intimidation, division, and silencing voices. However we must not be silent, and we can not let fear dictate how we live, work, or dream.
We are fighting back—through legislation, in the courts, and peacefully in the streets. As a legislator, I’ve spent my career working to uplift immigrant families—expanding access to healthcare, strengthening workers’ rights, and protecting undocumented youth. I know what’s at stake because my community lives it every single day.
Illinois Democrats will not allow Latino families to be unfairly targeted and will continue to fight to protect their rights. We will keep fighting back until this message is unmistakable: immigrants are the backbone of our state and our country, and they will not be erased.”
