Illinois latinos in the 2004 election: The waiting game continues

Latino political influence in Chicago has been steadily climbing since the historic election of Harold Washington as mayor in 1983 and 1987. With the support of more than three-fourths of Latino voters, these elections set the foundation for a new era of Latino participation in electoral politics and a new form of independent politics. More important, they signaled a break with the old era of machine domination of predominantly Latino electoral districts and an end to the patronage system known as "hacienda" or "plantation" politics. In addition, they marked the beginning of the Latino-black electoral alliance that would carry over into governance and eventually pave the way for greater Latino representation via the creation of new Latino-majority wards.