RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month and honoring Jaime di Paulo, Alderman Gilbert Villegas, and UIC LARES
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WHEREAS, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the innumerable contributions of people of Hispanic ancestry. During this month of acknowledgement, the traditions and culture of people with lineage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America are honored; and
WHEREAS, national recognition began on September 17,1968, when Congress passed Public Law 90-498 as a Joint Resolution authorizing and requesting the office of the President to issue an annual proclamation to designate the week including September 15th and 16th as National Hispanic Heritage Week in honor of the extraordinary role of Hispanic Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation, Proclamation 3869, the same day; and
WHEREAS, the dates of September 15th and 16th were chosen specifically to incorporate the independence day anniversaries for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which are on September 15th, and the anniversary for Mexico, which is on September 16th; and
WHEREAS, on August 17,1988, Public Law 90-498 was amended by Public Law 100-402, proclaiming September 15th through October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month. The amendment became effective on January 1, 1989; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of National Hispanic Heritage Week to National Hispanic Heritage Month incorporated the Latin American countries of Chile and Belize, who celebrate their independence on September 18th and September 21st respectively; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2025 celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) celebrates the vast contributions made by Latino residents in our communities and recognizes the hard work and dedication of our Latino employees; and
WHEREAS, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the District will be co-hosting the following events: the Latino Heritage Month Business Roundtable on October 8th and Latino Stewardship Day on October 18th. Participating in our roundtable event are Jaime di Paulo, President and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), and Gilbert Villegas, Alderman of the 36th Ward. Mr. di Paulo has been guiding the IHCC, the leading Hispanic business networking, advocacy, and development organization in the Midwest, since 2019, during which he has doubled its membership and secured a multimillion-dollar grant to allow the creation of the first of its kind “Center for Hispanic Entrepreneurs.” Alderman Villegas represents the City’s 36th Ward, in addition to serving on three national boards: the Democratic Municipal Officials, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and the National League of Cities. His policy priorities include a focus on economic and workforce development, with a special emphasis on expanding business and employment opportunities in public projects for minority-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, the District also recognizes the University of Illinois Chicago’s Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) program. LARES recruits and provides academic advising, financial aid, and educational assistance to Latino students; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month and honor Jaime di Paulo, Alderman Gilbert Villegas, and UIC LARES; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: September 18, 2025