CHICAGO – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the great achievements of Latino community leaders.
Treasurer Frerichs honored nine individuals: the Spanish-language play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks; a brother and sister who own several Chicago-area restaurants; a Chicago high school principal; an airport concessions firm founder; a registered nurse and clinical coordinator; the organizing director of Chicago’s hospitality workers union; the chief curator at the National Museum of Mexican Art; and an Illinois state senator.
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“We gather together today to show our respect and appreciation for some of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors, whose contributions are making our communities better places to live, work, and raise families,” Frerichs said at the event held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St in Chicago. “We celebrate their work, their dedication, and their vision in helping us build a better tomorrow in Illinois and throughout the nation.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observance lasting from September 15 to October 15, a time span that covers the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize.
The origins of the national observance go back to 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to a month. This year’s theme is “Unidos, somos más,” which translates to “Together, we are more.”
Treasurer Frerichs honored the following individuals for their outstanding commitment to their communities:
Outstanding Service in Business
Christina Gonzalez and Larry Gonzalez
Co-owners | Los Comales
Outstanding Service in Leadership
Gloria Castillo
Founder | CMC Enterprises LLC
Former President and CEO | Chicago United
Outstanding Commitment to Community Service
Elisa Lara
Clinical Coordinator | VNA Health Care, Elgin
Outstanding Commitment in Education
Dr. Anna Vilchez
Principal | Steinmetz College Preparatory High School
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
Honorable Celina Villanueva
Illinois State Senator | 12th District
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Angel Castillo
Organizing Director | UNITE HERE
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Miguel Esparza
Spanish-language Play-by-Play Announcer | Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls
Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities
Cesáreo Moreno
Director of Visual Arts & Chief Curator | National Museum of Mexican Art
About the Treasurer
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR’iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $60 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions with money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state’s largest consumer-protection initiative, the missing money ICash program, which has returned a record-breaking $2.65 billion since Frerichs was elected.
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