Jul 1

Jul 1 Cultural District

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, CTA, Festivals, Food, Public Declarations, Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago’s Ukrainian Community held a short ceremony today celebrating Ukrainian Village’s designation as an Illinois State-Designated Cultural District (“ISDCD”). Ukrainian Village is bounded by Damen Avenue (east), Western Avenue (west), Division Street (north), and Chicago Avenue (south).

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ISDCDs “are communities, towns, or specific geographic areas that have a distinct shared historical and cultural identity that binds the community together.” ISDCDs: (i) promote distinct historical and cultural communities; (ii) encourage economic development and entrepreneurship; (iii) encourage the preservation and development of historic and culturally significant structures, traditions, and languages; (iv) foster local cultural development and education; (v) provide a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of communities; and (vi) promote growth and opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality. Those who originally proposed the program hoped that it would thwart the sort of gentrification that destroys historic and culturally significant neighborhoods by driving longstanding stakeholders out, only to be replaced by upscale, ubiquitous retailers and high-rise residential buildings.

Now that Ukrainian Village is an ISDCD, it is eligible for state funding for economic development and preservation of its unique cultural identity. The state has set aside $3,000,000 for funding ISDCD projects. In 2023 and 2024, Chinatown, Little Village, Bronzeville, and Puerto Rico Town were among 10 neighborhoods in the state receiving ISDCD designation.

This year, Governor Pritzker announced five new ISDCDs, including Ukrainian Village, which is particularly appropriate because Pritzker can trace his family origins back to Ukraine. Self-Reliance Association (“SRA”), a Section 501(c)(3) organization, submitted the application requesting ISDCD designation for Ukrainian Village.

Since the start of the Russian War Against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, SRA has assisted over 30,000 Ukrainian refugees who have relocated to Illinois since fleeing war-torn Ukraine. The services that SRA offers to newcomers include: (i) instruction in English as a second language; (ii) free consultations with immigration lawyers; (ii) classes preparing refugees for U.S. citizenship; (iv) job placement assistance; (v) mental health counseling; and (vi) free seminars about U.S. law and refugee rights.

When I was in Washington, D.C. three weeks ago for Ukrainian Days, members of the Ukrainian diaspora met with members of the the House and Senate and their staffs, hoping to encourage the legislators to enact sanctions against Russia and to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine. On several occasions, the advocates from Chicago pointed out that the Ukrainian refugees living in Chicago are just the sort of immigrants that the U.S. should be seeking. Many have bought homes and cars, placed children in public schools, and started businesses that employ others. In other words, the Ukrainian refugees are anything but a burden. No doubt that SRA is a contributing factor in their success.

Roughly 40 people turned out for today’s 10:30 AM celebration at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Among the speakers were Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino, Illinois State Representative Lilian Jimenez, Dr. Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America—Illinois Division, and Walter Tun, SRA’s CEO.

The community asked artist Anastasia Kovalenko to design a logo for the new cultural district that captures Ukrainian cultural. The logo includes a pysanka, which is a traditional decorated egg symbolizing the Ukrainian National Museum. That museum holds the nation’s soul, embodied in the museum’s collection of art and history.

The logo also includes a number of churches of different denominations, representing a deeply religious and tolerant nation. Finally, and not surprisingly, the logo includes a sunflower, symbolizing the sun and its life-giving energy.

I will be interested to see what other efforts Chicago’s Ukrainian Community undertakes to better brand Ukrainian Village as a cultural destination. As a starter, community leaders might consider a readily-available map or brochure identifying restaurants, retail establishments, cultural locations, and religious facilities that showcase the community’s Ukrainian heritage.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]