The Southwest Collective

08/20/2026

This morning, the Chicago Plan Commission will consider a proposal to raze Ford City Mall and build an industrial warehouse that will bring even more truck traffic to Cicero and Pulaski.

As a bit of “community-oriented” window dressing, the developers are throwing in a handful of benches and landscaping at the southwest corner of the project…complete with a sidewalk to nowhere.

This project would stand in stark contrast to Ford City Mall during its heyday, and would foreclose on the many genuinely community-oriented ideas proposed by neighbors in Scottsdale, Ashburn, West Lawn, and other directly affected communities.

08/19/2026

Did you know Illinois is home to 156,000+ Hispanic-owned businesses? 👀 That's not just a number ... that's a whole economy, and right now, a lot of these businesses need us.

In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), we're joining the Shop Local, Buy from Latin@ Owned Businesses campaign — celebrating and supporting the Latino-owned, brick-and-mortar spots that make our neighborhoods vibrant, flavorful, and full of life. 💛

Here's how you show up:
🛍️ Visit a Latino-owned business near you — and post about it
⭐ Leave a review on Google or Yelp
📲 Share their page and tag

08/19/2026

Starting and running a business is hard. That's no secret. But what seems to be less known, is that there is FREE HELP available. Cook County Source is a great resource for folks that need advice on stuff like licensing, property taxes, marketing and a lot more. Set up an appointment here: https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/business-advising/
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Iniciar y gestionar un negocio es difícil; eso no es ningún secreto. Sin embargo, lo que quizás no se sepa tanto es que existe ayuda gratuita disponible. Cook County Source es un recurso excelente para quienes necesitan asesoramiento sobre temas como licencias, impuestos sobre la propiedad, marketing y mucho más. Solicite una cita aquí: https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/business-advising/

08/19/2026

Parents! Gather up your gently used kids' clothing and gear for this Saturday's Freebies for Families event at Our Lady of the Snows.

What is Freebies for Families? It's a safe place for your family to share with other families, arrange playdates, and build your village. All in memory of Marlen Ochoa Lopez.
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¡Padres de familia! Reúnan la ropa y los artículos para niños que estén en buen estado y tráiganlos este sábado al evento «Freebies for Families» (Artículos Gratuitos para Familias) en la parroquia Our Lady of the Snows.

¿Qué es «Freebies for Families»? Es un espacio seguro donde su familia puede compartir con otras familias, organizar encuentros de juegos y crear su propia red de apoyo. Todo ello en memoria de Marlen Ochoa López.

08/18/2026

Your favorite Brighton Park business should know about this opportunity! Tell them to apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGHPDhkdWUqerUd29EInc0gYuKABsORSVmc1olatr-SczEVg/viewform
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¡Tu negocio favorito de Brighton Park debería conocer esta oportunidad! Diles que se postulen aquí:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGHPDhkdWUqerUd29EInc0gYuKABsORSVmc1olatr-SczEVg/viewform

El programa beneficia a negocios ubicados en Belmont Cragin, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Marshall Square, La Villita y West Lawn.

08/18/2026

CPS schools are back in session next week!

Remember, the more families walk and bike to school, the fewer cars there are in the drop-off lane.

Check out Chicago Family Biking for tips on you can start up a bike bus at your child’s school. These usually start with just a few families and then grow into something much bigger ❤️

08/18/2026

Come on out to Kelly Park every Monday from 6-8pm! Tonight we are here to help you fit & fix your bike, and you can win this backpack, lunchbox and snacksssssss

08/18/2026

Here at Kelly Park til sunset. Come enter to win a new backpack and get your bike fixed up!

08/17/2026

Spending your money in your community gives everyone more power.

For every $100 spent at a small business, $68 stays in the local economy (that's according to the SBA). 💰

Make it a point to change your habits; do not simply give your money to Amazon every time.
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Gastar tu dinero en tu comunidad les da más poder a todos.

Por cada 100 dólares gastados en una pequeña empresa, 68 dólares permanecen en la economía local (según la SBA). 💵

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

08/14/2026

Our Chicago is a citywide collaborative, powered by Latinos Progresando, working to protect immigrant communities and strengthen Chicago’s neighborhoods.

The Brighton Park business corridor is a targeted area to help strengthen business safety and security.

Funding is limited and applications will be accepted through August 31, 2026.: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGHPDhkdWUqerUd29EInc0gYuKABsORSVmc1olatr-SczEVg/viewform?pli=1

In the coming weeks, we will walk the Archer corridor with information about how businesses can participate to increase storefront security.

“Our Chicago” es una iniciativa colaborativa que abarca toda la ciudad, impulsada por Latinos Progresando, dedicada a proteger a las comunidades inmigrantes y fortalecer los vecindarios de Chicago.

El corredor comercial de Brighton Park ha sido seleccionado como zona prioritaria para reforzar la seguridad de los negocios.

Los fondos son limitados y se aceptarán solicitudes hasta el 31 de agosto de 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGHPDhkdWUqerUd29EInc0gYuKABsORSVmc1olatr-SczEVg/viewform?pli=1

En las próximas semanas, recorreremos el corredor de Archer para brindar información sobre cómo los negocios pueden participar y mejorar la seguridad de sus locales.