By Laura DeKoven Waxman
December 17, 2012

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel released his city’s New Americans Plan on December 4, which outlines 27 initiatives to build a thriving, diverse and welcoming city over the next three years. The plan highlights the potential economic impact when the city supports the creation and expansion of immigrant-owned businesses; develops, attracts, and retains talent and expertise from other countries; and aims to bolster the city’s status as a vibrant and welcoming international city.

“With residents from over 140 countries and more than 100 languages spoken in our city, Chicago is a city of immigrants,” said Emanuel. “These immigrants are small business owners, teachers, parents, clergymen, elected officials, and leaders in our communities. This is why I am committed to making Chicago the most immigrant friendly city in the nation.”

The Chicago New Initiatives Plan proposes to create thousands of jobs by increasing the growth of immigrant small and medium-sized businesses and by doubling the exports of immigrants businesses. The plan also states that making early childhood options and summer enrichment opportunities more available to immigrant parents will increase savings later, that for each dollar spent on early-childhood education, seven dollars in savings are coming.

In July 2011, just months after taking office, Emanuel created the Office of New Americans and set the goal for Chicago to become the world’s most immigrant-friendly city. A few months later, the Mayor convened an advisory committee comprised of 50 leaders representing Chicago’s business, academic, civic and philanthropic communities. The goal of the advisory committee was to identify challenges unique to immigrants, recommend initiatives to be implemented over the next three years, and develop a detailed implementation plan for the Office of New Americans and its partners.

The Chicago New Americans Plan recommends a broad array of new programs and initiatives that are designed to improve the day-to-day lives of immigrants while promoting Chicago’s economic growth and cultural vitality. It groups the plan’s 27 initiatives into three categories: Our Growth, Our Youth, and Our Communities. The three categories are divided into eight subgroups which will focus on economic opportunities, human capital, education, public safety, health, city services, civic engagement and ensuring that Chicago remains a place where diversity is welcomed and celebrated.

The Chicago New Americans Plan and information on the activities of the Office of New Americans are available onine at www.cityofchicago.org/newamericans.