Chicago Hispanic Newspaper, Lawndale News, Hispanic Bilingual Newspapers, Su Noticiero Bilingue

Caption by Ashmar Mandou

V&V Supremo, a cornerstone of Chicago’s culinary landscape for 60 years, known for its authentic Mexican dairy and meat products, earned recognition on Friday, Oct. 10th with a street named after the two immigrant brothers-in-law who founded the business, Gilberto and Ignacio Villaseñor. In addition, a mural unveiling depicting the legacy of V&V Supremo also took place with the help of artists Delilah Martinez and Everett Reynolds. The event honored the company’s heritage and celebrated the contributions to the City of Chicago. Attendees included Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, V&V Supremo Owners Gilberto and /Philip Villaseñor, Theresa Fraga, Pilsen community leader, and Vicky Aguilar from Univision, who emceed the event.

Photo Credit: V&V Supremo Foods

On Sunday, October 26 at 12p.m., the East Side Chamber of Commerce will host its annual “Trunk or Treat” at Eggers Grove in the Cook County Forest Preserves, 11200 S. Avenue E., Chicago. This free event offers a safe, daytime alternative to trick-or-treating for the South East Side community. DoorDash is donating $1,000 in community credit codes, and activities will include trunk-or-treating, pony rides, bounce houses and more.

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

The Forest Preserves of Cook County invites residents to Together for Trees, a community event celebrating and caring for the region’s trees. The event will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Whistler Woods, located along Forest View Avenue east of South Halsted Avenue in Riverdale. Attendees can enjoy a variety of free activities designed to connect people with nature such as mulching trees in the picnic grove, a guided tree walk, a pruning demonstration, building fencing to protect young oaks and more. Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time or stay for the full event. Throughout the morning, participants can visit an Info Fair featuring local partners sharing insights about career paths in tree care and conservation, volunteer opportunities and ways to explore nature. The Forest Preserves is partnering with Friends of the Chicago River, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Openlands, Imani Green Health Advocates and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative of the Morton Arboretum and Major Taylor Trail Keepers to put this event together. For more information, visit www.fpdcc.com.

Photo Credit: Cook County Forest Preserves

Community Savings Bank once again hosted two popular neighborhood events in September. The annual fall Shred-a-Thon on Saturday, September 20 was appreciated by all who came and watched as their documents were shredded to help fight identity theft. On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Community hosted its second Classic Car Show and Fall Festival with the Portage Park Chamber and Hermosa Belmont Cragin Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event was larger in attendance and featured more vintage cars and vendors than 2024. A total of 37 vintage cars were on display. Over 200 people voted for their favorite classic cars. The husband of Jenel Ventura, one of Community’s dedicated loan officers, won first and third place. Miguel Perez won first place for his 1970 Monte Carlo and third place for his 1991 Cadillac Brougham. Additional attractions at the festival included a petting zoo, bouncy house, craft booth, local DJ Jacob Arena, and a special performance by Steinmetz College Prep’s drumline. The bank is grateful to all who participated in the car show and fall festival. To stay up-to-date with Community’s upcoming events, sign up for our newsletter updates on our website at https://www.communitysavingsbank.bank/about-us/connect/stay-connected.

Photo Credit: Community Savings Bank

ComEd joined the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday to celebrate successful food production of the agriculture pod (ag pod) program. The ag pod program is part of a national research initiative led by EPRI to explore how utilities can deploy energy efficient technologies to support indoor agriculture. ComEd installed four ag pods throughout northern Illinois in 2023. Each pod outfits a shipping container with LED lighting, HVAC systems and environmental sensors to optimize growing conditions year-round. The North Lawndale ag pod produces a variety of leafy greens, which are harvested and distributed by members of YMEN, which provides education, mentoring and leadership development for young people in North Lawndale. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN).

Photo Credit: ComEd

A candlelight walk is planned for Thursday evening, as the Town of Cicero comes together under the theme of “One Town. One Heart. One Prayer.” Residents, business owners, elected officials, first responders, interfaith leaders and community groups will gather at the courtyard behind Town Hall, 4949 W. Cermak Rd. at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Participants will be given a candle and the walk will begin at 7 p.m., as they walk side-by-side in prayer and unity for the community. Town officials plan to call attention to the resources available to residents affected by recent federal law enforcement activity, as well as reminders of the immigration rights that all residents have, with support and prayers also being offered for families being separated.

Since 2008, the Town of Cicero has been designated as a “Safe Place” for all, regardless of immigration status. That resolution introduced by President Larry Dominick and unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees prohibits town employees, including police, from asking about anyone’s citizenship, while Town services cannot be denied due to their immigration status. In addition, under the Illinois Trust Act, Cicero police are prohibited from helping immigration agents in non-criminal matters. In July, the Town released a Know Your Rights video and accompanying flyer, which continues to be handed out by Town employees and businesses. The Town also has an Immigration Department, where staff are available to assist with citizenship-related services and help make connections to community resources for those in need.

City of Chicago announced the return of Chicago Fall Fest, a coordinated two-week-long series of cultural and community fall events designed to engage Chicago’s youth and residents of all ages. This year’s effort, which will showcase events through November 2nd, will provide Chicagoans with events celebrating Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and more. Chicago residents of all ages are invited to access additional information on ChicagoFallFest.org. On October 25, the UPSIDE DOWN Halloween Parade returns for a 6th year on Russell Drive in Washington Park from 12-2 PM. Presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago, this event turns the traditional parade upside down. Attending families will actually be the parade as they walk in costume through the park to view entertainment all around them. The street will come alive around them with dancers, acrobats, puppetry, and sports mascots.  Through November 7, the Mayor’s Office will support ten community “Fall-4-All” events featuring DJs, free food, resources, and activities. These events, led by local organization partners, are open to youth and all Chicago residents. All of the events and plenty more, can be found on www.ChicagoFallFest.org.