Community-Driven Policy: Lessons from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation with State Senator Celina Villanueva and Executive Director Oswaldo Alvarez

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We met with representatives from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation to talk about their 2025 Raices Report and how it helps advance a community-driven policy agenda for Latinos in Illinois and why it matters beyond that state.

Celina Villanueva, a proud Chicago native, serves as the State Senator for Illinois' 12th District and co-chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation. At her core, she is a community organizer, always working to amplify the voices of those she represents in Springfield.Passionate about environmental justice and raising awareness for domestic violence, Celina continues to champion these causes.

Oswaldo Alvarez is a Chicago native who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation (ILLCF), where he oversees all programs, operations, and organizational development.  Before joining the ILLCF, Alvarez was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker as Illinois’ inaugural Census Director. In this role, he led the state to achieve its highest self-response rate ever, ranking first among states with over nine million residents. Fluent in Spanish, he has dedicated his career to serving and uplifting the Latino community in Illinois.

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

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