In 1950, around 28,000 Mexican immigrants resided in the Midwest of the United States, and 12,000 had settled in Illinois, according to data from the 1950 Census. Two decades later, the 1970 Census reported a 24% growth in the Mexican population in Illinois. This growing number of Mexicans led to the formation of a cultural organization called the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois (SCM).

A group of Mexican leaders invested time and resources to form a local organization dedicated to "promoting and perpetuating the customs and traditions of Mexican heritage within the Mexican and Mexican-American communities in Illinois," according to a press release from the SCM.

**FOUNDING MEMBERS**

José E. Chapa, a pioneer of Spanish-language radio in Chicago, was the first president of the Civic Society in 1969, the year the society was inaugurated, created to organize the celebration of Mexico's Independence in Chicago. Chapa, a broadcaster from Nuevo León who emigrated to Chicago in 1953, dedicated his life to keeping immigrants like him connected to their homeland. Since 1957, he informed Mexicans through 'Serenata Matutina,' the first Spanish-language news program in Chicago.

To provide cultural, civic, and patriotic content to his compatriots, Chapa had newspapers sent from Mexico to disseminate information through the 1240 AM radio station.

Some of the first members of the Civic Society's initial board were community leader and founder of Azteca Foods, Arturo Velásquez; the founder of Pepe's Mexican restaurants, Mario Dovalina; the first Latina on the Cook County Board, Irene Hernández; photographer Enrique Zuno; judge David Cerda; and the Mexican Consul General at that time, Rubén Gaxiola.

Later, other local entrepreneurs joined the committee, such as the owner of Atotonilco taquerias, Raúl Muñoz; and the owner of the Tropical Optical chain, Eusebio Arce. Of those first members who constituted the society, Josefina Salinas and Miguel Zuno remain involved in organizing the patriotic celebrations each year.

**THE GRITO AND THE QUEEN**

Since the first time Consul General Rubén Gaxiola officiated the 'Grito de Dolores' ceremony in Chicago, the patriotic celebrations have been held at Grant Park, at the Petrillo Band Shell.

The official program of the first celebration highlighted the participation of the San Calixto Children's War Band and Mario Moya Palencia, undersecretary of the interior and personal representative of the President of Mexico in 1969, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. The representative of the Mexican president crowned the first queen, Lidia Romero, during the first Aztec coronation of the Civic Society's queen.

"We were the only organization that held the traditional Aztec coronation with traditional dances and costumes." Since then, during the 'El Grito' ceremony, Mexican artists and actors of the caliber of Alicia Juárez, Julio Alemán, Katy Jurado, and more recently Pablo Montero, Ramón Ayala, Diana Reyes, and Pancho Villa's grandson, Raúl Nava Villa, have performed.

**THE FIRST PARADES**

The Civic Society organizes several cultural events throughout the year, such as Flag Day and Cinco de Mayo, but it is recognized for uniting the Mexican community in the city center during the Mexican Independence Day parade. The first parade took place on State Street and not on Columbus Street as it is done today. The parade started from State Street and continued south until reaching 18th Street.

The parades have featured local dignitaries, including all mayors, from Richard J. Daley Sr. and Harold Washington to Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley. Additionally, war bands from various universities and colleges in Mexico have come to Chicago to kick off the parades.

Furthermore, in the past, along the route through the city center, one could admire floats with the names of the first companies owned by Mexicans. In the 70s, social and sports groups, such as the San Luis Rey Social Club and the Ayutla Club, joined in.

In recent times, it has been very difficult for the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois to sustain itself, as the impact of the pandemic has caused setbacks, including the inability to provide scholarships and cover many expenses necessary to carry out an event with dignity.