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; Solisand 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% Mexican
Number of Housing stock / 28,852 Houses / 31,094 Houses/Condos
Number of Elementary schools / 23 / 36
Number of High Schools / 10 (4 other) / 12
Number of Churches
Number of Parks / Two-Dvorak/Zapata (Harrison) / Five-Piotrowski/Shedd/Douglas/Franklin/Lawndale
Number of Play lots / Three / Five-
Number of Businesses
Number of Organizations
Number of Art Galleries
Number of Night Clubs
Number of Pawn Shops
Number of Liquor Stores
Number of Taverns
Number of Veteran Lodges
Number of Senior Complexes
Number of Health Clinics
Number of Mental Health Clinics
Number of Shelters for the Homeless
Number of for Domestic Violence Shelters
Number of Law Firms
Number of Bakeries
Number of Restaurants
Number of Youth Centers
Number of Fire Stations / One-Damen Avenue/Cullerton / One-Kedzie/23rd
Number of Police Stations / Zero / Zero
Number of Parades 2017
Number of Garage Sales 2017
Number of Murals
Number of Major Events 2017
Number of foreclosures 2017
Number of murders 2017
Number of burglaries 2017
Number of shootings 2017
Number of undocumented
Number of DACA RECIEPENTS
Who is the Alderman / Daniel “Danny” Solis / Ricardo Munoz
Committeeman / Daniel “Danny” Solis / Michael Rodriguez
Police District Commander
Who is the State Representative / Tony Munoz / Sylvia Tabares
IL State Senator / Dick Durbin / Dick Durbin
Congressman / Luis Gutierrez (4th) Danny K. Davis (7th) / Luis Gutierrez
Cook County Commissioner / Jesus “Chuy” Garcia / Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
Number of Banks
Number of Funeral Homes
Number of health clubs
Number of gangs
Number of libraries / One-Rudy Lozano Library / Two-Talman/?
Number of local newspapers
Who is the street/sans director
Who is the number one real-estate investor
Number of savings & loans
Number of real estate agencies
Number of hospitals / Zero / One-ST. Anthony?
Number of medical clinics
Who is the head Liberian / Hector Hernandez
Name of a local newspaper
A famous person who lived in the area
Famous artist
Famous singer
Last public protest in 2017
Number of vacant lots
Number of new building projects
Number of chamber of commerce / One-Cermak Chamber of Commerce / One-Little Village Chamber
Number of day cares
Number of non-profits
Number of H.S. graduates 2017
Number of H.S. drop-outs 2017
Number of authors
Number of artist
Number of mariachi groups
Number of rock bands
Number of soccer teams
Number of soft ball teams
Number of DJ’s
Number of red lights
Number of CTA train stops
Number of food shelters
Number of campaign offices
Number of pizza parlors
Number of vacant store fronts
Number of suicides 2017
Number of registered voters / 29,252 / 20,509
Number of people who voted in 2016 / 19,757 or 67.54% / 12,115 or 59.07%,
Who are the park supervisors
Who 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