A new era of progress, friendship and mutual cooperation involving the state of Illinois and the City of Mexico D.F. has begun, with the historic meeting between Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) and award-winning Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubón. Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubón, is a skilled public administrator educated at France’s elite ENA (the Ecole Nationale d’ Administration) and head of the Federal District Government of Mexico City since 2006- who was awarded last year the prestigious “2010 World Mayor Prize.” A champion of a myriad of social issues on his own, Senator Sandoval – recognizing Mayor Ebrard’s efforts and success in office – presented him with a bust of President Abraham Lincoln on behalf of the Illinois Senate. During his visit – organized by “Casa de la Ciudad de Mexico en Chicago” – Senator Sandoval emphasized the numerous challenges these migrants face every day and the need to improve the basic services to minimize restrictions whenever they travel between the United States and Mexico.