LOGAN SQUARE — Data is driving mutual aid efforts in the 35th Ward.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) and his staffers made vulnerability index maps to determine where to focus its outreach efforts to help those most in need during the pandemic.
The maps, which have been posted to the alderman’s website, were made using a wide range of census data including the uninsured population count, non-white population count, population count of people with disabilities, median income, poverty to income ratio and median age of household.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that Hermosa residents are at higher risk of infection and economic stress than Logan Square residents.
In recent years, Logan Square has become wealthier and whiter, while Hermosa has largely remained a majority-Latino, working-class neighborhood. In Chicago, low-income, minority communities are getting hit hard by the coronavirus.
As of Thursday, the zip code that includes Hermosa had seen more infections (354) than the zip code that includes Logan Square (167), according to Illinois Department of Public Health data.
Ramirez-Rosa led a virtual community meeting Wednesday night to share his office’s findings, field questions and discuss mutual aid efforts across the ward.
“We are only as healthy and strong as the most vulnerable in our society,” Ramirez-Rosa told neighbors during the Zoom meeting.
Ramirez-Rosa’s staffers have canvassed all of Hermosa, which includes more than 2,000 homes, to determine which residents need help.
The staffers are helping those residents fill out housing grant applications and connecting them with vetted neighborhood organizations and mutual aid groups like Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Hermosa Neighborhood Association and the Logan Square Mutual Aid.
The alderman’s office is looking for volunteers who are willing to deliver groceries, medicine or other essential items to neighbors in need. Visit his website for more information.
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