Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger recently met with members of her Hispanic American Advisory Board at the Pan American Bank in Chicago and highlighted the importance of open communication between government and community leaders in these tough economic times. In a successful second meeting, the Board got right to business discussing the state’s financial situation. The group spoke about the effects of state payment delays on the Latino community and shared strategies for helping small and minority owned businesses thrive. Meetings will continue to be held to keep an ongoing dialogue.

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Front row: Joseph Galvan, President, Galvan & Associates; Nilda I. La Luz, M.S., Interim President & CEO, Casa Central Social Services; Lourdes Lulu Blacksmith, Director of Governmental and Multicultural Affairs, Waubonsee Community College; Edgar Lopez Director Power Program, Illinois Office of the Comptroller. Back row: Cristina Mancini,Deputy Director Public Affairs, Illinois Office of the Comptroller; KaitrinValencia, Director, Chicago Dream Center; Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger; Juan M. Otero, Vice President, BSA, CRA and Security Officer, Pan American Bank; and Diane Salemi, Senior Vice President Retail Banking, Pan American Bank.