Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0475

HR0475 LRB104 15462 ECR 28620 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month, recognized from September 15 through October 15, is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities, and it is a commemoration of how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society; and

WHEREAS, The origins of Hispanic Heritage Month date back to California in the 1960s, where Latino and Hispanic residents joined in multiple societal movements, including the civil rights movement and the farm worker protection movement; and

WHEREAS, The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 to coincide with the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, which falls on September 16, and Chile, which falls on September 18; and

WHEREAS, Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of past generations of Hispanics who came from all over the world, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Spain; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our nation's history, Hispanic Americans have significantly shaped our national and state identities time and time again by advancing the principles of freedom and representative government through the efforts of leaders, including Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta who advocated for labor rights, and countless trailblazers, including astronaut Ellen Ochoa with her historic space travel, Justice Sonia Sotomayor with her appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Hispanic citizens who lead in public office, business, community roles, the arts, agricultural fields, and faith-based work; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month fosters ethnic pride and enhances the profile of cultural diversity, strengthening the fabric of the communities of the great State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is proud to be home to a vibrant Hispanic and Latin American community, including families who have lived here for generations as well as recent arrivals, who make up approximately 19% of the population and continue to shape the State's identity through their contributions to local businesses, the arts, education, public life, and cultural traditions and events that unify communities across the diaspora and celebrate the richness of their collective heritage; and

WHEREAS, The Hispanic community has contributed significantly to the State's economy, culture, and civic life, including over $100 billion in annual economic impact; and

WHEREAS, Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority in our nation, and Hispanic multiculturalism, diversity, and leadership in this State have contributed to a stronger, healthier, and more just Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The contribution of Hispanic and Latino Americans in Illinois expands past their economic impact to include their rich history of tradition, family values, and community, which keeps them centered; and

WHEREAS, Honoring the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities includes fighting for the health, dignity, and well-being of our communities; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics and Latinos in the United States have the highest uninsured rate of any racial or ethnic group and express greater concern about deportations compared to other communities; and

WHEREAS, More than six million Latinas live in 26 states that have banned or are likely to ban abortion, and more than half of these Latinas are already disproportionately impacted by economic insecurity; and

WHEREAS, Women, especially Latinas in the United States, are being put in danger by the latest violent attacks on women by masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and those who are using this moment to impersonate immigration enforcement officers under this administration; and

WHEREAS, These compounding inequities disproportionately affect women and children in mixed-status households, undermining their well-being and long-term development; and

WHEREAS, Reproductive justice affirms that everyone has the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including the ability to parent in safe and healthy communities free from fear of raids, prisons, or surveillance, and that access to health care is a fundamental human right, regardless of documentation status; and

WHEREAS, The right to family unity, bodily autonomy, and universal healthcare is protected under various international human rights treaties, and any violations of these rights de facto weaken our power on the global stage; and

WHEREAS, Latin American countries have made significant progress on guaranteeing universal healthcare access, securing rights to abortion access, and protecting children's rights due to their deeply-held cultural values of caring for the life and the dignity of their people; and

WHEREAS, Our State greatly benefits from the deeply-held cultural values of family and dignity embedded in our Hispanic and Latino communities; and

WHEREAS, It is important to highlight these realities in order to recognize and uphold the critical importance of inclusive, humane health and immigration policies that honor the resilience and contributions of Hispanic communities to our nation's social and economic fabric; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative for the State of Illinois to uphold the critical and important message of promoting inclusion, honoring multicultural heritage, and acknowledging the contributions of all communities to its progress and identity; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month facilitates a meaningful opportunity to educate the public, engage in dialogue, and foster pride, unity, and understanding across all communities in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 15, 2025 through October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage all residents to participate in activities, ceremonies, and educational programs that honor the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.