On Wednesday, October 15th, Cook County Commissioners and the Office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle celebrated Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month in the lobby of the Cook County Building. The event began with a performance by Mariachi Los Jinetes of Morton East High School from Cook County’s 16th District. After the performance, remarks were given by President Preckwinkle and Commissioners Frank J. Aguilar, Alma Anaya, and Jessica Vasquez. After the musical performance, President Preckwinkle honored local leaders for their dedication to serving their communities and empowering Latine families across Cook County with the Latino Community Leadership Award. Awardees included Commissioners Anaya, Vasquez and Aguilar; Jorge Perez, Executive Director of Ensemble Español; Billy Ocasio and Veronica Ocasio of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, and José Ochoa of the National Museum of Mexican Art. To close the press conference and ceremony, a performance was given by the Ensemble Espanol Music and Theater dance group.  Cook County is proud to celebrate the diversity of its residents and the richness of culture – the Hispanic and Latine population has now increased to 1,382,778 and represents the largest minority group in Cook County.

Photo Credit: Office of Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar