Pilsen and Little Village barrios have some things in common and not so common. I gathered a list of items that will distinguish the two barrios (estimations may apply).

Growing up in Pilsen I experienced the political era of several Alderman, the first being Alderman Vito Marzullo a very personal and savvy person. Later came Fred Roti, a serious mover and shaker. Then came Marco Dominco as Committeeman. The tied slowly turned and Latinos became the Alderman’s; Juan M Soliz, Ambrosio Medrano Sr. and Daniel “Danny” Solis.

In the Little Village community, the lone Alderman for many years was Frank Stemberk and it was not until August “Augie” Sallas made the first move to challenge the “non-Chicagoan” as Alderman. Sallas was the pioneer in changing the Alderman from non-Latino to Latino. Alderman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia succeeded where Rudy Lozano Sr. started (he was murdered while challenging Frank Stemberk for Alderman in 1983). Then Garcia moved on to State Representative and Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Ricardo Munoz as Alderman per Garcia’s request and the infamous Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) led by Victor Reyes.

The list developed (Chart A) starts with the population in the two barrios. The census tracks are and the community areas are named Lower West Side and South Lawndale. The two areas also have the zip code 60608 and 60623, Pilsen and Little Village respectfully. The political ward maps have both extended and divided the two barrios (Chart B). Little Village is now part of the 12th Ward represented by George Cardenas and Pilsen has extended further into China Town and University City.

The last elections (2016) showed that Pilsen has 29,252 registered voters. Little Village has 20,509 registered voters. However, the voter turn-outs were minimal (19,757 or 67.54% and 12,115 or 59.07%, 25th Ward and 22nd Ward respectfully) and the incumbents won re-election; Solis and Munoz.

Chart A-List of items to be discussed in future blogs.

If you live in Pilsen or in Little Village what would be different amongst the two communities?

TOPIC PILSEN (60608*) LITTLE VILLAGE (60623*)Population 2017 82739 (2010 Census) 78.4% Hispanic 92,108 (2010 Census) 97.6% MexicanNumber of Housing stock 28,852 Houses 31,094 Houses/CondosNumber of Elementary schools 23 36Number of High Schools 10 (4 other) 12Number of Churches Number of Parks Two-Dvorak/Zapata (Harrison) Five-Piotrowski/Shedd/Douglas/Franklin/

LawndaleNumber of Play lots Three Five-Number of BusinessesNumber of OrganizationsNumber of Art GalleriesNumber of Night ClubsNumber of Pawn ShopsNumber of Liquor StoresNumber of Taverns

Number of Veteran LodgesNumber of Senior ComplexesNumber of Health ClinicsNumber of Mental Health ClinicsNumber of Shelters for the HomelessNumber of for Domestic Violence SheltersNumber of Law FirmsNumber of BakeriesNumber of RestaurantsNumber of Youth CentersNumber of Fire Stations One-Damen Avenue/Cullerton One-Kedzie/23rdNumber of Police Stations Zero ZeroNumber of Parades 2017Number of Garage Sales 2017Number of MuralsNumber of Major Events 2017Number of foreclosures 2017Number of murders 2017Number of burglaries 2017Number of shootings 2017Number of undocumentedNumber of DACA RECIEPENTSWho is the Alderman Daniel “Danny” Solis Ricardo MunozCommitteeman Daniel “Danny” Solis Michael RodriguezPolice District CommanderWho is the State Representative Tony Munoz Sylvia TabaresIL State Senator Dick Durbin Dick DurbinCongressman Luis Gutierrez (4th) Danny K. Davis

(7th)Luis Gutierrez

Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia Jesus “Chuy” GarciaNumber of BanksNumber of Funeral HomesNumber of health clubsNumber of gangsNumber of libraries One-Rudy Lozano Library Two-Talman/?Number of local newspapersWho is the street/sans directorWho is the number one real-estate investorNumber of savings & loansNumber of real estate agenciesNumber of hospitals Zero One-ST. Anthony?Number of medical clinicsWho is the head Liberian Hector HernandezName of a local newspaperA famous person who lived in the areaFamous artist

Famous singerLast public protest in 2017Number of vacant lotsNumber of new building projectsNumber of chamber of commerce One-Cermak Chamber of Commerce One-Little Village ChamberNumber of day caresNumber of non-profitsNumber of H.S. graduates 2017Number of H.S. drop-outs 2017Number of authorsNumber of artistNumber of mariachi groupsNumber of rock bandsNumber of soccer teamsNumber of soft ball teamsNumber of DJ’sNumber of red lightsNumber of CTA train stopsNumber of food sheltersNumber of campaign officesNumber of pizza parlorsNumber of vacant store frontsNumber of suicides 2017Number of registered voters 29,252 20,509Number of people who voted in 2016 19,757 or 67.54% 12,115 or 59.07%,Who are the park supervisorsWho is the alderman’s deputy The zip code covers several areas outside Pilsen and Little Village.

NOW YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PILSEN AND LITTLE VILLAGE-CONGRATULATIONS!

Chart B-22nd Ward and 25th Ward of Chicago