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Recent Accomplishments
Cicero Safe Space Resolution
On November 12, 2008, President Dominick and the Cicero Town Council enacted the Safe Space Resolution for Cicero. The resolution developed from the efforts of the Interfaith Leadership Project and the Latino Union of Chicago to increase protections and counter the fear rippling through immigrant communities.The main provisions of the resolution state:
- City agents shall not enforce federal immigration laws.
- No City agents, including Police, shall use monies, resources, or staff to detect or apprehend people for civil immigration violations.
- Cicero will not lend space, vehicles, or resources to federal immigration agents for enforcement of federal immigration laws.
- City agents will not identify individuals for legal scrutiny based on their country of origin, religion, ethnicity or immigration status.
- No Town of Cicero employee will inquire into the citizenship, residency, or immigration status of any person.
- Information about an individual’s residency status shall not be maintained or recorded, except as required by law.
- No city services or public safety services will be denied on the basis of citizenship, except as required by federal or state law.
- The presentation of a foreign passport or matricula consular will be accepted as proof of identity.
- Complaints of violation of this resolution will be investigated by the Cicero Police Office of Internal Affairs and/or the Inspector General.
- The Town of Cicero will meet annually with the Interfaith Leadership Project and the Latino Union of Chicago to discuss complaints filed and actions taken by the Town to investigate and address the complaints.
If you want further information or have a concern, please contact the Interfaith Leadership Project at 708-652-7711.
After-school Programs
After many parents meetings, community forums, and individual meetings with elected officials and education leaders, ILP parent leaders won $250,000 in state funds to create three after school programs for elementary students in Cicero run by one of our churches and two local organizations. We also initiated a process through which the school district and existing non-profit organizations secured state funding for five additional after school programs at struggling schools. Our after school partners were awarded funding from the Illinois State Board of Education in July 2007 to sustain the new programs for the next five years.
Access Community Health Network in Cicero
ILP partnered with Access Community Health Network to open a Community-Based Health Clinic that serves all residents regardless of insurance or documentation status. This clinic currently serves 25,000 patients per year. ILP collaborates on the Reach 2010 Campaign to provide education and access to health services for reduction in breast and cervical cancer.
Towing Policy During Street Cleaning
ILP worked to eliminate the practice of towing for street cleaning violations in Cicero. Previosly, cars were towed five days per week, eight months per year for a fine of anywhere between $135 and $225, payable only in cash. The towing company kept all of the revenue from the tow, with the exception of $20 per car paid to the Town of Cicero. ILP leaders negotiated an agreement with the Town President and the Public Works committee chair which was approved twice by the Public Works committee. Under this new policy, $50 ticket will be given for the first three street cleaning violations, and towing will result from a fourth violation in the same year. ILP leaders put continuing pressure on Town leaders to adopt this ordinance and end the financial hardship that this practice put on residents. The new Towing ordinance went into effect on September 1st, 2009.
On Thursday, July 23rd 2009, ILP organized an action in front of Tuff Car Co., the town's towing company to highlight the issue. Articles and pictures are located in the following link.
Towing Pictures and Articles
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