Pawar Joins Caucus to Support Fastest-Growing Ethnicity in Chicago

He’s the first Asian American to serve on the Chicago city council, and he’s also among first aldermen to create a group aimed at helping that same culture.

Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) and 10 other colleagues created the Asian American Caucus, Chicagoist reported Tuesday. The group formed with the goal of building legislation around issues affecting the Asian American community, particularly immigration, advocacy and language barriers.

Asian Americans have seen a 38 percent growth in Chicago, according to 2010 Census numbers. 

But the shift in population comes with language barriers, often between business owners, residents and the local government.

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That’s one reason Pawar and 10 other colleagues formed the Asian American Caucus, Chicagoist reports. The other alderman have large Asian American populations in their wards: James Balcer (11th); Danny Solis (25th); Dick Mell (33rd); Margaret Laurino (39th); Pat O'Connor (40th); Brendan Reilly (42nd); James Cappleman (46th); Harry Osterman (48th); Joe Moore (49th); and Debra Silverstein (50th).

Healthcare outreach will be one of the group’s first priorities, especially when The Health Care for America Plan, also dubbed “Obamacare,” launches in October.

Pawar said he saw a problem coming with families having to fill out so much paperwork in a foreign language.

“We want them to know we're here to work with you and there is a vehicle available to listen to them as a bloc," he told Chicagoist.

The alderman now serves on three caucuses, the Progressive Reform Coalition, the Paul Doulas Alliance and the Asian American Caucus.

Read more on Chicagoist.com.