The easiest way for me to reach the neighborhood of Pilsen was via the CTA Pink Line. The 18th Street station is filled with art, from the platform, to the walls, and even the staircases. The staircases are filled with what resemble Aztec or Mayan patterns. Fig.1 is one of the bigger murals I encountered inside the station and to me, it resembles an Aztec sun. Fig.3 was one of the murals that really captured my attention because first, it was black and white, so it contrasted all the other murals, and second, I found the image of the warrior on the standing horse to be very powerful. Fig. 4 was one the murals I found the most amusing because it's a giant crab with a human face and the way its standing with its claws out and the sun and mountain behind him make it look like a deity. Aside from the art that makes the station unique, it also has a Churro Factory, the Xurro, there that sells churros and milkshakes. I think marketing wise, it's a good location because you're targeting commuters coming and going to buy a snack for the commute. Exiting the station, there is still more art and Fig.5 also captured my attention. The mural is pretty big and made out of small tiles; I think it empowers women because of all the famous women to the right of the Virgin of Guadalupe and at the same time the Hispanic community there.
Right across from the train station is a modern building that is the La Casa Student Housing & Resource Center located at 1818 S. Paulina. As the name suggests, the building serves as off-campus housing and a resource center for university students. La Casa is a part of the Resurrection Project, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on creating healthy communities through education, organization, and community development
[3]. The Resurrection Project also helps the community
with other programs such as purchasing homes, foreclosure prevention counseling, safety, health, education, and immigration services. The project's roots date back to the 1990's when Pilsen residents began discussing community issues like violence or street neglect
[4]. The project started when six of the communities parishes each donated $5,000 to start the community organization. Thier first focus was to empower residents to become leaders amongst their community and stand up for their rights.
 |
| Fig.7 - El Zocalo |
Another example of how the Resurrection Project helps the Pilsen community is El Zocalo; it's an organization at the Zocalo plaza of local vendors, participants, food, music, dancing, and fun
[5]. The funds for this project were raised through a Kickstarter campaign. This is a great way to help vendors who either have a storefront or those who sell at the Pilsen Community Market. Aside from buying authentic Mexican products or food, there were many activities that participants can do; World Gym, which provided the music and entertainments for the event, showcased Zumba classes. Artists from ElevArte helped children create flags, paper butterflies, and painted their faces. And lastly, the event was a great way for members of the community to get to know each other and form new friendships.
 |
| Fig.8 - The National Museum of Mexican Art |
 |
| Fig.9 - Giant Quilt of Art |
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| Fig.10 - Statute of St. Anthony |
 |
Fig.11 - Collection of Various
Ceramic/Glass Statues |
 |
Fig.12 - Copy of the Immaculate
Conception Painting (1631) |
 |
| Fig.12a - Mexican Flag |
My first stop in Pilsen was the National Museum of Mexican Art located at 1852 W. 19th Street. The visit to the museum is free, all you have to do is sign the registrar. I did not see all the three exhibitions because I didn't want to stay too long and it was also a field trip day for an elementary school, so the museum was filled with little kids. One of the first pieces I noticed was Fig. 9 because of its magnitude and multitude of colors. You can see the center of the quilt is a sun, which there are also a few more scattered throughout, and all surrounding quilt squares contain either animals, faces, or people. My favorite square from the entire quilt is towards the top left and it contains an owl. Fig.11 offered a multitude of ceramic and glass statutes that revolve around the Day of the Dead celebration in the Mexican culture, which celebrates life and honors the memory of those who have passed away. A lot of art there focused on religion. Fig. 12 is a copy of the Immaculate Conception by Peter Paul Rubens located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The painting depicts Saint Francis with the family of the Hapsburg monarchy standing on Earth and the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the Heavens above. While I was there I also learned about the iconic symbol on the Mexican flag, the eagle eating a snake while standing on a cactus. The symbol was first illustrated in the Codex Mendoza, an Aztec codex from 1540. In 1325, the Aztec culture started their empire where they saw an eagle devouring a snake atop a cactus. During colonial Mexico, the symbol meant growth for the Mestizo (mixed race) population. The icon became a national emblem after Mexico's War of Independence (1810-1821).
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| Fig.13 - Harrison Park |
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| Fig.14 - Emiliano Zapata Bust |
Exiting the museum, I took a stroll through Harrison Park. The park was created in 1912 by the West Park Commission to combat the overcrowded and industrialized Lower West Side. The park was named after one of Chicago's mayors, Carter H. Harrison Sr., who served for five terms and was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker on October 28, 1893
[6]. The park offers a multitude of activities to its residents such as basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, a large artificial field for soccer, a field house with gymnasium, indoor pool, and meeting rooms. The park also offers after school programs throughout the school year, and various camps during the summer for both youths and adults. Inside there's also a bust honoring Emiliano Zapata, who was one of Mexico's national heroes for his leadership in the revolutionary movement against the corrupt dictatorship of President Porfiorio Diaz in 1910. Zapata also stood up for the rights of peasants and small landowners in his village of Anenecuilco, which he himself was after his father died and had to support his family by running a small farm. The field house at Harrison Park is also named after him, the Emiliano Zapata Cultural Center. One thing I noticed walking around was the number of senior citizens who use the park to exercise.
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Fig.15 - La Huerta Roots and Rays
Community Garden |
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| Fig.16 - El Paseo Community Garden |
Parks aren't the only green places in Pilsen. The next place I visited in Pilsen was their community garden, La Huerta Roots and Rays located at 1523 W. Cullerton Street. La Huerta, which means The Garden, was started on a vacant lot when someone had the idea to plant a sunflower on it
[7]. The garden is run by residents from all around Pilsen and Chicago. They welcome all ages and level of gardeners and is a place for plants and the community to grow. It's also worth mentioning that there is another community garden in Pilsen, El Paseo Community Garden, located at 944 W. 21st Street. El Paseo, which means The Path, was originally started as a Growing Station in 2009
[8]. Their garden offers both private allotment beds and collective beds. It's also a great place for the senior citizens living in the adjacent senior living and affordable housing apartments. El Paseo also offers volunteering days, workshops, potluck parties, an annual children's harvest festival, weekly yoga and meditation.
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Fig.17 - Pilsen Neighborhood
Community Council |
Walking around through Pilsen, almost not noticing it because it looked like an ordinary house, I came upon the Pilsen Neighborhood Community Council. The council is a non-profit, community-based organization that focuses on developing new community leaders through leadership training and civic engagement. The council was originally started by Eastern European Immigrants in 1954 to confront the pressing needs of the community[9]. The council also works towards improving the health and welfare of the community by working with educators, government, businesses, and residents. Some of the notable accomplishments they have done for Pilsen over the years are the allocation and construction of Benito Juarez High School, Harrison Park Field House, and the West Side Technical Institute, allocation of $26 million in city infrastructure between 1995-1999, and planning and developing the Alivio Medical Center, which also serves Little Village and Back of the Yards. The council also helped start the Fiesta del Sol celebration back in 1972 after they secured the city's commitment to building the Benito Juarez High School[10]. It originally started off as a block party, but over the years it grew into a nationally publicized event. It's a family-friendly, alcohol and tobacco-free festival that celebrates the Mexican-American people.
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| Fig.18 - The Neighborhood Is Not For Sale |
While I was walking to get something to eat, I noticed a message on the sidewalk. At first, I thought it was the typical sidewalk writing done by the City of Chicago like for gas or water services. The message says that the neighborhood is not for sale. This message is a part of the Pilsen Not For Sale (PN4S) campaign that was started by the Pilsen Alliance and DePaul University's Geography Department to fight against gentrification
[11]. The PN4S used the data collected by DePaul to reveal that between 1990 and 2000, housing prices rose 68% and between 1995 and 2002, rent increased by 44%. The Pilsen Alliance also helped their community back in 2004 when they passed a vote that decided that the alderman must hold an open meeting on zoning changes in Pilsen. Later in 2005 and 2006, the alliance also brought awareness to Alderman Solis and Mayor Daley about zoning miscalculations and the increase in loft conversions through public referendums. As a result, Alderman Solis agreed to work with a zoning advisory board composed of Pilsen residents.
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| Fig.19 - La Taqueria Los Comales |
 |
Fig.20 - 3 Tacos (Steak, Tongue, Dried Steak)
and Horchata |
After walking around in Pilsen for a while, I stopped in at La Taqueria Los Comales located at 1544 W. 18th Street. I actually used to go to this restaurant, not this particular location when I was younger and lived in Skokie. It was the only Mexican restaurant close to where I lived, so that's why we always went there. Walking in I was a little confused of how the restaurant operated until I saw the sign "Seat Yourself" in English only. I'm assuming a sign in Spanish is not necessary because they know how that restaurant works. The customer service was very quick and very attentive. I ordered three tacos and an horchata. Despite the size of the restaurant and the amount of people there, I was happy that the server brought me my order how I ordered it, without onions. And for those who don't know what horchata is, it's
a milky drink made from ground almonds, tiger nuts, or rice.
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| Fig.21 - St. Adalbert Catholic Church |
After eating, I went to visit the nearby church of St. Adalbert Catholic Church located at 1650 W. 17th Street. The church's roots date back to the 1870's when Polish immigrants got together and asked the Archdiocese of Chicago to have a parish formed. In 1874 the parish was established and the church was built in 1912
[12]. When the demographic of the neighborhood changed, the church underwent a crisis due to the loss of members. By 1975, efforts were being made to attract more Mexican immigrants such as building a shrine in honor of our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos. In 2000, the Rev. Mike Michelini rented out the school building to the UNO charter schools, which are now known as Acero, and they in turn renovated the building. As seen from Fig.21, the church is undergoing major construction. Due to the cost of the repairs, the church has been bought by the Chicago Academy of Music Conservatory back in 2016
[13]. They plan to move their campus from University Church in Hyde Park there. Andrew Hertzberg, a spokesman for the music school, said that they promise to preserve the building for the community and that Mass will still be offered there after the school moves in.
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| Fig.22 - St. Procopius Catholic Church |
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Fig.23 - St. Procopius Catholic Church
Parish Office |
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Fig.24 - St. Procopius Catholic Church
Missionaries of Charity Contemplative |
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| Fig.25 - St. Procopius Elementary School |
The other church I visited while I was in Pilsen was the St. Procopius Catholic Church located at 1850 S. Throop Street. What really surprised me about this church is how many buildings it has along the street; Fig.22 through Fig.25 are all on the same street. The church was founded in 1875 under the Order of St. Benedict and it served the Czech community
[14]. The following year, the first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday and the St. Procopius School was opened. In less than ten years, the entire church was then converted for school use and a new church was constructed. By 1992, the Jesuits accepted the pastoral ministry at the church and through the "Pilsen Project", helped bring the construction of two new institutions and a revitalization of the parish school. In 1996 the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School was built at 1852 W. 22nd Plaza to fill the educational needs of the Mexican-American community. It should also be noted that the St. Procopius Elementary School educates 250 students in both English and Spanish and is the only dual language school in the archdiocese. The congregations now serve the predominately Hispanic community.
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| Fig.26 - Thalia Hall |
Right across from St. Procopius Catholic Church was a very interesting looking building, its architecture resembles that of a small castle, and that building is Thalia Hall. Thalia Hall is located at 1807 S. Allport Street. The building was founded by John Dusek, a tavern owner and facilitator of the arts, in 1892
[15]. Dusek wanted to build a public hall to bring Bohemia arts and entertainment for the Bohemian community at the time. By 1985, Thalia Hall was declared a historic landmark. Aside from providing entertainment to the community, Thalia Hall also served as a meeting spot for residents and was even used to draft a bill that would help Czechoslovakia gain its independence in 1918. Thalia Hall was then closed of to the public from the 1960's till the end of 2013; the current owners, Bruce Finkelman and Craig Golden, plan on restoring the hall so that it could provide the community with music and art. The owners are also adding two new additions, Dusek's Board & Beer and Punch House (Punch House is a bar). Looking through their website and all the events they have, Thalia Hall, while it may be a historic landmark, does not fit the Hispanic community of Pilsen. The establishment looks like its caters more to the hipster or white community that has been increasing in Pilsen; from 2000 to 2013, Pilsen has seen an increase from 3,587 to 4,385 white residents
[16].
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Fig.27 - Lozano Branch
Chicago Public Library |
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| Fig.28 - Tenochtitlan Plaza |
Another place I stopped by was the Lozano Branch Chicago Public Library located at 1805 S. Loomis Street. The branch was named after Rudy Lozano, a union organizer and community activist. Lozano's focused on fighting for the rights of undocumented immigrants, political independence, and Mexican-American equality. One of his first acts was in 1970, when he and his future wife Lupe led a walkout at Harrison High School due to the lack of Latino teachers and classes in Latino history
[17]. As a graduate of UIC, he helped establish the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services Program (LARES). Afterwards, he helped found a local chapter that organized undocumented immigrant workers known as the Center for Autonomous Social Action (CASA). He later became the Midwest director for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), which is known as Workers United and was also helping organize Tortilleria del Rey, Chicago's biggest tortilla maker. Lozano was then assassinated in 1983 at the age of 31.
Right across from the library is the Tenochtitlan Plaza, which is recognizable by its tall pillar with a statue of Mexico's iconic symbol, the eagle eating a snake atop a cactus. The plaza is used to host community gatherings. When I passed by there, I saw various senior citizens sitting down in the plaza, enjoying the day and talking amongst each other.
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| Fig.29 - Benito Juarez Community Academy |
The last location on my sites visited was Benito Juarez Community Academy located at 2150 S. Laflin Street. When I first arrived there, I was breathtaking by the layout of the school and the size of the school. The school serves 1,685 students, 94.4% of which are Hispanic
[18]. The school was built in the mid-1970's so that Pilsen students no longer had to go all the way to Harrison High School in Back of the Yards and risk encountering the numerous gangs there. The school gives there students various opportunities such as AP classes, an IB program, and a CTE Academy that offers classes for architecture, automotive, culinary arts, health sciences, and information technology
[19]. The school was named after Benito Pablo Jaurez Garcia, who was a national hero for his fight against foreign occupation under Emperor Maximilian (1864-67), sought contitutional reform to create a democratic federal republic, and served as Mexico's president from 1861 - 1872[20]. All throughout the front and back of the school there are statues of famous Hispanics. Below are all the 12 statues with a description of who they are:
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Fig.30 - Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon (1765-1815)
is known as "The Servant of the Nation" for leading
the second phase of the Mexican Independence and
enacting the Constitution of Apatzingan. |
 |
Fig.31 - Aquiles Serdan (1877-1910) is known
as "The first martyr" of the Mexican democracy.
He was a prominent liberal and advocator against reelections
and initiated the Revolution of 1910 in Puebla.
|
 |
Fig.33 - Jose Maria Pino Suarez (1869-1913) advocated
for the improvement of the living conditions of
workers and the disabled as a journalist and writer
of ideals. He also served as Vice-President under
Francisco I. Madero from 1911-1913 |
 |
Fig.32 - Alvaro Obregon (1880-1928) was the
commander-in-chief of the Northwestern
Constitutionalist Army. He then served as Mexico's
president in 1920 and 1924 and carried out an
agrarian reform and an extensive educational program. |
 |
Fig.34 - Vicente Guerrero (1782-1831) was one of the
leading revolutionaries of the Mexican War of
Independence and helped culminate the fight
as a member of the Ejercito Trigarante. He then
served as Mexico's President in 1829. |
 |
Fig.35 - Josefa Ortiz De Dominguez (1768-1829)
assisted the uprising of the independence
movement on September 16, 1810, in Queretaro. |
 |
Fig.37 - Venustiano Carranza (1859-1920) became the
leader of the Constitutionalist Army during the
Revolution after proclaiming the Plan de Guadalupe.
He then served as President of Mexico from
1917-1920 and enacted the Constitution in his first year.
|
 |
Fig.36 - Julian Carrillo (1875-1965) was a Musician
and Composer who created the microtonal system
called "The Thirteenth Sound", reforming the theory
of music. |
 |
Fig.38 - Cuauhtemoc (1495-1525) was the last
Aztec Emperor who fought against
the Spanish conquistadors. |
 |
Fig.39 - Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919) was regarded
as "The Apostle of the Agrarian Movement of 1910"
for his loyalty to his ideals of "land and liberty" during
the Mexican Revolution. He was also the leading figure
of the Southern Revolutionary Movement. |
 |
Fig.40 - Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862) defended the
sovereignty of Mexico against foreign invasion. On May
5, 1862, he defeated French forces of Napoleon III in Puebla. |
 |
Fig.41 - Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla (1753-1811)
was known as the "Father of the Nation"
for initiating Mexico's movement of Independence
from Spain and served as "Generalissimo". He also
abolished slavery and indigenous tributes. |
I saved the best for last and that is all the murals I saw during my trip to Pilsen. Some of the themes I noticed for some murals were tribute to Hispanic culture, unity between people and between Mexico and America, peace, etc. Some murals have significance, while others are just expressive creativity that bring color to Pilsen.
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| Fig.42a - Female Portrait with a Fox and Deer |
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| Fig.42c - Female Portrait with Leafs for Hair |
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| Fig.42b - Blinded Female Portrait |
Fig.42a-c are all one mural. I think the combination of black, white, and red is very pleasing to the eye. I think the mural has something to do with female empowerment possibly through nature given the one has hair made out of leafs and another one has flowers and animals around her.
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| Fig.43a - Family Celebration |
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| Fig.43b - Famous Hispanic Music Artist |
Fig.43a-b are connected. To the left you have female dancers dancing in traditional Mexican dresses surrounded by other female portraits. To the right you have famous Hispanic music artists; I know the man in the middle is Juan Sebastian because my mom enjoys his music, but I do not know the others.
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| Fig.44a - Mural that Promotes Peace |
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Fig.44b - Three Murals That
Tell of Three Aspects; Religion,
Work, and Education |
Fig.44a-b are separate murals, but they can be found next to each other. The first one, which some of it has been removed, promotes peace; you can see that it says in Spanish to "teach to live in peace". The mural on the apartment buildings are three in total; the farther right has the Virgin de Guadalupe, prominent figure in the catholic religion, the middle shows various Hispanic workers united, and the left shows Hispanic graduates, a nurse, a teacher, and a message in Spanish that says "Yes, it can be done".
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| Fig.45b - History of El Milagro Tortilla |
|
 |
| Fig.45a - History of El Milagro Tortilla |
Fig.45a-b are one mural and can be found on the side of the El Milagro Tortilla establishment located at 1927 S. Blue Island Avenue. The left of the mural shows how tortillas were first made by hand. The right of the murals shows the transition of the start of the business by incorporating machinery such as the conveyor belt.
 |
Fig.46 - Hispanic Grandmother Wrapped in a
American Flag and a Mexican Flag
in the Background. |
Fig.46 can be found on the side of a building near the St. Procopius Catholic Church. I think this mural is a great representation of Mexican-Americans; whether we come here as parents, children, senior citizens, we come to for the opportunities America has to offer and to live a better life here. And we are capable of doing that while still maintaining ties to our Hispanic heritage and culture.
 |
| Fig.47 - Hope, Respect, Jobs, Dignity House Mural |
Fig.47 caught my eye because it took the entire side of a house and can be found somewhere near 1898 S. Loomis Street. The positive messages the mural has made me think that the building was some kind of organization that assisted with employment, but I think it's just an ordinary residence. I also like the "Earthy" theme of using the color green and incorporating trees, flowers, butteryflies, and other nature elements.
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| Fig.48a - Music Related Mural |
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| Fig.48c - Pilsen Wall of Honor Mural |
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| Fig.48b - Put The Guns Down and Peace Mural |
Fig.48a-c are all connected and can be found on the side of the Chicago Workforce Center located at 1700 W. 18th Street. The mural on the left promotes peace and stopping violence by asking for the guns on the streets to be put down. The mural in the middle promotes creativity through music and dancing. The mural on the left, Pilsen's Wall of Honor, honors 4 individuals: Chicago Police Officer Brian Strouse who was killed in the line of duty, Ana Mateo, a seven year-old victim of gun violence, Franciso Mendoza, a Pilsen artist and teacher, and Javier Merino, who I could not find out why he is honored.
 |
| Fig.49a - Soccer Mural |
 |
Fig.49b - Pilsen Neighborhood Mural
w/ "Long Live the Fight for the Town"
Message |
Fig.49a-b are one mural and it can be found on the side of a building near 1802 S. Ashland Avenue. The entire mural is an ordinary soccer match held in the neighborhood of Pilsen. You can see that some of the buildings have signs such as "Welcome to Pilsen" and "Long Live the Fight for the Town" and other signs indicate the kind of building like "Library", "Bakery", "Wig Shop", and "Yami's Fashion". You can also see the Pink Line train passing by in the background. I think the mural gives a message of preserving Pilsen and fighting against gentrification.
 |
| Fig.50b - 16th St. Murals |
 |
| Fig.50a - 16th St. Murals |
Along 16th Street, you can find a multitude of murals. Some of them are fading, some have been affected by the deteriorating wall, but some are still full of color. Fig.50a has a portrait of what looks like Mother Theresa, a prominent Catholic nun and missionary.
 |
| Fig.50d - 16th St. Murals |
 |
| Fig.50c - 16th St. Murals |
 |
| Fig.50e - 16th St. Murals |
 |
| Fig.50f - 16th St. Murals |
Fig.50e has a mural devoted to giving positive messages such as promoting peace, unity, harmony, courage, and creativity. Fig.50f was an interesting mural because the images look like they come from African culture; you can see that the figures on the ends appear to be warriors/savages, both wearing a different mask, one figure appears to be enslaved by the figure next to it, two figures appear to be dancing/celebrating. and in the center, you have what appears to be a woman emerging from a white portal.
 |
Fig.50h - 16th St. Murals
|
 |
Fig.50g - 16th St. Murals
|
Fig.50g is devoted entirely to soccer; on one side you have the Chicago Fire playing and on the other you have ordinary people playing.
 |
Fig.50i - Bird Boy by Joseph Perez
(16th St. Murals) |
 |
Fig.50j - Cucurrucucu My Love by
Chema Skandal
(16th St. Murals) |
Fig.50i, which is one I've seen somewhere along the buildings that pass the Blue Line, is a mural known as "Bird Boy" by Chicago muralist Joseph Perez; his murals are meant to give a message of maturing and gaining more experience like a bird would. Fig.50j, a mural I thought was about the Day of the Dead, is known as "Cucurrucucu My Love" by Chema Skandal; I was not able find out what Cucurrucucu is, aside from a song by Lola Beltran, the two quotes above each bird are about love and they say "Love is said" "Love is torment".
Overall, my trip to Pilsen was filled with art, good food, and enjoyment. Despite what people say about that side of town, I felt very safe walking around. If anything, I felt welcomed seeing all the people there talking amongst each other in Spanish and was even greeted a couple times by senior citizens in Spanish. While it may not be perfect, just like any other neighborhood in Chicago, I hope it is able to win the fight against gentrification and violence.
Sources:
Fig.7 -
http://resurrectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1662.jpg
Fig.12a -
https://www.federalflags.com/6x10ft-nylon-Mexican-flag.htm
Fig.14 -
https://assets.chicagoparkdistrict.com/s3fs-public/styles/558x314/public/images/locations/Cover_Harrison_Zapata.jpg?itok=o0irMuQe
Fig.16 -
https://elpaseogarden.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/a0600606-aab5-40f4-a8be-1226771cbf1c.jpg
All other Fig.# were taken by Kevin Gonzalez Lopez
Map 1
https://www.google.com/maps?q=lower+west+side&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifmcTnyMbZAhWjx4MKHerNBZEQ_AUICigB
[1]
https://statisticalatlas.com/neighborhood/Illinois/Chicago/Lower-West-Side/Population
[2]
http://www.ssa.uchicago.edu/selling-chicago-global-city-redevelopment-and-ethnic-neighborhoods
[3]
http://lacasastudenthousing.org/the-resurrection-project/
[4]
http://resurrectionproject.org/about-us/our-story/
[5]
http://resurrectionproject.org/a-successful-crowd-funding-campaign-brings-mercaditos-en-el-zocalo-to-pilsen/
[6]
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Harrison-Park/
[7]
http://rootsandrays.weebly.com/our-garden--nuestro-jardin.html
[8]
https://elpaseogarden.org/
[9]
http://pilsenneighbors.org/about-us/history/
[10]
http://fiestadelsol.org/about-us/history/
[11]
http://www.ssa.uchicago.edu/selling-chicago-global-city-redevelopment-and-ethnic-neighborhoods
[12]
http://www.savestadalbertchurch.org/history-of-church/
[13]
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170221/pilsen/st-adalbert-church-building-sold-chicago-academy-of-music
[14]
http://jesuits.org/Parish-Center-Detail?TN=CODE-20130729084800
[15]
http://thaliahallchicago.com/history/
[16]
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160413/pilsen/pilsen-gets-whiter-as-10000-hispanics-families-move-out-study-finds
[17]
http://www.peoplesworld.org/article/rudy-lozano-remembered-as-fighter-for-immigrant-worker-rights/
[18]
http://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoolprofile/schooldetails.aspx?SchoolId=609764
[19]
https://www.benitojuarez.net/cte-college-and-career-academies
[20]
Wall of Honor:
http://abc7chicago.com/news/glass-mosaic-unveiled-in-pilsen/1467919/
http://www.chicagonow.com/chicanisima-latino-politics-news-and-culture/2012/03/the-pilsen-picasso-francisco-mendoza-1958-2012/
Murals:
http://gozamos.com/2013/01/artist-profile-chema-skandal/
https://logansquarist.com/2017/02/artist-joseph-sentrock-perez/
