For Immediate Release: March 16, 2026
Contact:
Courtney Jacquin McManus (Duckworth) | Courtney_McManus@duckworth.senate.gov
Hispanic Federation | media@hispanicfederation.org
Senator Duckworth and Hispanic Federation Convene Illinois Latino Leaders to Address Healthcare, Housing, Immigration, and Economic Equity
Photos from the event can be found here.
Chicago, IL – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Roberto Valdez, Midwest Regional Director for Hispanic Federation, convened Latino community leaders from across Illinois to address the urgent challenges facing the state’s Latino community. Over the duration of the program, community leaders discussed their concerns around health care access, housing affordability, voting rights, to aggressive federal immigration operations, the economy, veterans’ care, higher education, and the sustainability of the nonprofit sector.
The dialogue brought together advocates, educators, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials to engage Senator Duckworth in a direct conversation about how federal policy is affecting Latino families and what concrete action can be taken to address the harm.
“We’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis in our country, and instead of doing anything to bring costs down, Donald Trump and his administration are choosing to sow chaos and hate,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “I was proud to join the Hispanic Federation for today’s fireside chat and hear from community members about their concerns facing the Latino community under Trump. As costs continue to skyrocket, I will keep doing everything in my power to push back against Trump’s reckless one-sided agenda and advocate on behalf of the Latino community.”
“Thank you Senator Duckworth for listening to our community’s concerns. At a time when people feel increasingly disconnected from what is happening in D.C., it is abundantly clear that elected officials need to take the time to listen, learn, and act on issues impacting our community. We are grateful to the Senator for facilitating this vital conversation and presenting meaningful responses. We hope more elected officials will follow her lead,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, at Hispanic Federation.
“Education is a powerful pathway to opportunity for historically under resourced and economically disadvantaged minority and Latine families in Chicago and across Illinois,” said Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, President of Northeastern Illinois University. “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution rooted in Chicago’s communities, Northeastern Illinois University is committed to expanding access to high-quality, affordable education and preparing the next generation of educators, professionals and civic leaders who will strengthen our city, and state.”
During the event, speakers and community members discussed the issues:
Healthcare: Approximately 16 percent of Illinois Latinos lack health insurance, the highest uninsured rate of any group in the state. The expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies has left an average Latino family facing nearly $3,500 in additional annual premium costs. Leaders raised serious concerns about further cuts to health programs under H.R. 1., the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Housing: New home prices reached an average of $532,600 in December 2025, nearly $25,000 higher than the prior year. Participants called for expanded investment in public housing, housing vouchers, and robust tenant protections for families facing eviction and rising rents.
Voting Rights: With Latinos comprising 13 percent of Illinois’s eligible voters and more than 30,000 turning 18 each year, participants raised alarm about the proposed SAVE America Act, which would impose antidemocratic paperwork requirements and a de facto poll tax, suppressing Latino voter access ahead of the midterms.
Economy: While national inflation stood at 2.7 percent last year, Illinois energy prices rose more than 15 percent, and combined with stagnant wages, new tariffs, and rising food costs, Latino households are under mounting financial pressure.
Immigration: ICE detentions of individuals with no criminal record have increased 25-fold over the past year, spreading fear across immigrant communities. Leaders called for urgent congressional oversight of DHS, ICE, and CBP, and immediate local protections for law-abiding immigrants.
Veterans: Latinos now account for 19.5 percent of the active-duty military. With over 478,000 veterans in Illinois, participants emphasized the need for comprehensive, accessible healthcare for all who have served.
Higher Education: Only 26 percent of Illinois Latino adults hold an associate degree or higher. Hundreds of millions in federal funding have been cut from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), including Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). Leaders called for policies that remove financial, cultural, and informational barriers to college access.
Nonprofits: Latino-serving nonprofits are facing federal funding freezes, grant terminations, and politically motivated threats and asked for Senator Duckworth’s guidance on protecting the nonprofit sector’s capacity to serve vulnerable communities.
###
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
