Latinos have been a part of Chicago’s ethnic quilt for nearly as long as the city has existed. The first Latinos, mostly of Mexican origin, arrived in the city in the late 1800s. But their numbers remained small well into the 20th Century.

Rogers Parkers are a diverse group of people coming from many places and holding many beliefs. But ask anyone who knows the neighborhood, or who has lived there for any period of time where they would most like to live and odds are good you will hear a consistent answer – Eastlake Terrace.

In 2017, Elly Fishman, a journalist with Chicago Magazine, spend a year at Sullivan High School to better understand the challenges, opportunities and dynamics of the city’s most diverse high school, and largest recipient of children of refugee families in Chicago. Her experience resulted in the publication of “Welcome to Refugee High” in June of that year.

The demographics and transportation infrastructure of the area demonstrate that Rogers Park is brimming with commercial, retail, and development opportunities.