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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Waukegan should investigate aldermen's alleged actions
Clout has always been a word associated with Chicago pols. Unfortunately, it looks like it has floated north into Waukegan. Fourth Ward Ald. Victor Felix has been mainly mum about claims he's been throwing his governmental weight around over the city's annual Viva la Independencia parade. The parade celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, and the independence of Mexico and several other Central and Latin American nations. It is planned for September. Felix had 'no comments' when asked by reporter Steve Sadin the other day if accusations that the alderman was using his post 'to intimidate or manipulate' a community group which was awarded a special-use permit for the parade back in January were accurate. The allegations surfaced at the City Council session of May 19. According to Sadin's account, Elizabeth Marrero, a director of the not-for-profit Juntos, which is organizing the parade, said the alderman urged the group to give up its parade permit. In a statement she read during audience time before the City Council: 'Felix stated that the parade had been promised to other individuals and warned us that if we do not withdraw, they will find loopholes to revoke the permit.' If true, that's an openly daring move by an elected official to use his political power to influence events, like the Hispanic-centric parade. Especially so since Marrero alleged the alderman approached city staff to find loopholes to rescind the group's parade permit, and told her the City Council would vote against the group. 'No public official should use their position to intimidate or manipulate community groups or leverage influence for political gain,' the document said. It added: 'The people of Waukegan deserve elected officials who operate with integrity.' However, Felix responded during alders' time: 'I'm willing to support any parade that brings our city together in the right way,' Sadin reported. The parade has been an annual celebratory event, but also controversial and not without past drama. Last year, the city held two separate Mexican Independence Day parades in Waukegan by vying groups who both received permits for similar occasions. City officials called the dual parades 'unprecedented.' Abuse of power is nothing new in politics, but it has largely not been something that happens in Waukegan in recent years as local media, government watchdogs and political gadflies remain on guard. Newly elected Mayor Sam Cunningham was given a copy of the formal statement. 'We're making it an official document,' the mayor said. City officials should investigate Marrero's allegations to determine what exactly occurred when Felix met with two members of Juntos at a city restaurant. At the very least, pressuring Waukegan residents is a violation of the city's ethics code These are serious charges, if true, and shouldn't be overlooked. The document given to the mayor urges a formal probe of Felix's alleged actions. Perhaps this will be the first case legal counsel representing solely members of the City Council will be on hand to tackle. This isn't the first time city aldermen have been in the spotlight for dodgy happenings. Second Ward Ald. Jose Guzman has been accused of using two homes for his official residence. That allegation was brought up at a City Council meeting last month. Jack Dye, chairman of the Waukegan Port District board, raised the two-house issue during audience time, alleging inconsistencies in the way Guzman was representing himself, according to an April 22 story by Sadin. Dye said the alderman appeared to be treating both homes as his residence. Guzman apparently lives in the 2nd Ward in a house owned by another person, but continues to claim an $8,000 homestead exemption on the home he owns and rents to a tenant in the 7th Ward, according to a series of official documents. Since 2021, Guzman has claimed an $8,000 property tax homeowners' exemption for the 7th Ward property, which he bought in 2020, including the current tax year, according to Lake County Assessor's Office records, Sadin reported. Only one property can receive the tax exemption, and it must be a homeowner's primary residence. 'Either Jose is lying to the state of Illinois and Lake County about his address, (because) he has a general homestead exemption he shouldn't have; or he's lying to the city of Waukegan, saying he's living in the 2nd Ward, about his actual primary residence,' Dye alleged at the meeting. This is another accusation city officials need to get to the bottom of. Or city voters can make known how they feel about clout in the 2027 aldermanic elections.
Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan parade organizer accuses alderman of intimidation; ‘This behavior is … inappropriate and very unethical'
Organizers of Waukegan's annual parade celebrating the independence of several Latin American countries and Hispanic Heritage Month are expressing disapproval with Ald. Victor Felix, 4th Ward, for trying to pry them away from the event. Elizabeth Marrero, a director of not-for-profit organization Juntos — the organizer of the Viva la Independencia parade in September — said Felix asked the group to withdraw its special-use permit granted by the city on Jan. 14. The group began working on it in December. 'Felix stated that the parade had been promised to other individuals and warned us that if we do not withdraw, they will find loopholes to revoke the permit,' Marrero said. 'No public official should use their position to intimidate or manipulate (a) community group.' Marrero made Felix's remarks to her and a colleague public during audience time at the Waukegan City Council meeting Monday at City Hall, asking for an investigation into the alderman's behavior. After she finished her remarks, Marrero walked to the center of the dais and handed a copy of her speech to Mayor Sam Cunningham. When the meeting was over, Cunningham gave the paper to Corporation Counsel Joseph Miller, III. 'I'm giving it to our corporation counsel,' Cunningham said. 'We're making it an official document. Our goal is to have a successful parade.' Near the end of the meeting, during a time reserved for council members to speak, Felix said he is committed to the city's event process and following the related rules and procedures. He did not specifically deny any of Marrero's allegations. 'If my actions were perceived as anything other than supportive, I sincerely apologize,' Felix said. 'I'm here to work alongside our community partners, not against them. I stand with those trying to bring positive and inclusive events to our city. I'm willing to support any parade that brings our city together in the right way.' When asked specifically after the meeting if he had asked Juntos to withdraw its parade application, he said, 'No comment.' He gave the same answer when asked if any of Marrero's statements were inaccurate. During her conversation with Felix, Marrero said at the meeting that she felt he was trying to intimidate her and her colleague. He told them that if they appealed the withdrawal of the permit, the council would vote against her. 'Felix stated that by Juntos withdrawing from coordinating the parade will be the best possible scenario for the city of Waukegan to avoid any drama,' Marrero said. 'We also learned this alderman has been questioning city staff about ways to find loopholes to revoke the permit.' After the meeting, Marrero said she received a text from Felix on April 25 asking to meet in person. He insisted it happen quickly. She and her colleague met with Felix on April 27. Already working to organize the parade since December, Juntos was not about to leave the scene. He added pressure. 'This behavior is intimidating, inappropriate and very unethical,' Marrero said. David Motley, the city's communications director, said the city received only one application for the annual parade, and it was already approved. Jesus Uribe, another Juntos member, said through an interpreter during the meeting that the organization donates any excess money generated from the parade back into the community. It is already seeking donations and sponsorships. 'With the money we raised in (last year's) parade, we will be giving three (college) scholarships,' Uribe said. 'Whatever is raised from the next parade will be given to people who have cancer.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Upstate organization celebrates 15 years with Hispanic Heritage Month events
GREER, S.C. (WSPA) – The Hispanic Alliance is turning 15 this year and celebrating its Quinceañera by announcing an action-packed event schedule. Board members and staff for the Hispanic Alliance welcomed the community at the Hartness hotel in Greer on Tuesday with food, singing, and the announcement of several upcoming community events. Events include an art showcase, a holiday tour of homes, and a large party, 'La Fiesta,' for the entire community to enjoy at Hotel Hartness in Greer. The events will be celebrated in September for Hispanic Heritage Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Levitt Pavilion's summer series to be unveiled during free concert reveal
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The 2025 Elchelberger Concert Season will be announced during a free concert at the Levitt Pavilion on Thursday night. Season schedules will be available at 6 p.m., followed by a performance by Dayton's improvisational rock band Subterranean at 7 p.m. There will also be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new concession stand. The free concert series usually runs from late May/early June through much of September, with shows normally scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The series usually spotlights holidays or events, such as the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, Juneteenth and Pride Month. The 2024 season featured three special 'Amplified' concerts focusing on blues, funk and reggae that featured a DJ, two openers and a headliner. University of Dayton hosts preview of James Bond-themed concert Subterranean has a 10-year-long history throughout the Midwest, performing at multiple festivals including The Werkout, Resonance, The Mad Tea Party Jam and Hookahville. People looking to attend the Levitt Pavilion Dayton should be aware they can bring in their own food, beverages, and/or lawn chairs. They can also rent a chair and buy food from the concession stand, if they'd like. The pavilion is located at 134 S. Main St., across the street from the Dayton Convention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Más que una tienda: Finding a sense of ‘comunidad' on Oahu
Por los Latinos quien necesitan un sentido de comunidad en Oahu, este historia es para ustedes. HONOLULU (KHON2) — Nestled in a small storefront on South Beretania Street lies the sights, sounds and flavors of a minority cementing its culture thousands of miles away from their story of Oahu's only Latin American market, Mercado de la Raza, began in 1994. Husband and wife duo Alex Villarino and Megahn Chun took over la tienda (the store) in 2022, but their story stems from las calles de Nueva York (the New York City streets). Megahn found herself in New York for 11 years. Though she was born in the islands, her family was part of the diaspora that moved to Las Vegas when she was young. Why Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th When she moved to the Big Apple, the culture shock could not have been more apparent, as she struggled to find a connection to her heritage and Hawaii. 'Way before I met Alex, I was walking to classes near Grand Central Station. I distinctly remember hearing Hawaiian music, live Hawaiian music. I remember that feeling of having a little piece of home in the middle of New York,' she said teary-eyed. Meanwhile, Alex grew up in Mexico. After spending time in Los Angeles and New York, he quickly realized the need to bring authentic Latin American products and culture to other regions of the United States. When the couple moved back to Oahu in 2022 to start a family, it was Alex's turn to feel the culture shock, finding very few Latinos on the island to connect with. It was at that moment when the couple decided to take over the Mercado de la Raza business and create a community for Oahu's Latinos looking for a reminder of home. 'Naturally, being that it's the only Latin store on the island, it does attract all of the Latinos and it's really nice when they see their friends in here or family members in here. It's a place where you can come and find all the ingredients to make dishes that bring friends and family together,' Megahn said. The pair took the business to the next step with their Marchantes Latinos program, a space where local Latino entrepreneurs can make a name for themselves and their businesses. 'We set them up at the front of the store and promote them on social media. They get to meet customers, let people know what is it that they're making, why it's so special, [and tell them] about where [they] come from,' she added. Of course, the local entrepreneurs who sell their culinary goods source some of their ingredients from la tienda itself. 'We bring products from all over Latin America from remote places that are very unique like Honduras, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic to bigger places like Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela,' Alex explained. 'We try to bring a lot of the authentic products from those regions.' And they try to grab products from every single country. 'We have all the flags there in the front and we even make contests to go around and tell all the names of the flags, so yeah we try to source as much as we can,' he added. 'That's the difference between a place like this. Smaller, community-driven, very close to the people. Like if you go to a regular, larger supermarket you can find certain things. But if you have a question, you don't know how to cook something, nobody there will help you,' said Alex. 'All of it is really inspired by that relationship with our customers.' 'It's a team effort. It's a community effort to really build this place,' Megahn added. You can also visit their website or Instagram for more information on community events or the Marchantes Latinos program. Check out more news from around Hawaii So, if you're feeling a disconnect with yourself and your Latin culture, head to Mercado de la Raza Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
