Racial Equity and Real Estate Conversations: Advancing Latino Homeownership

Welcome Remarks: 
Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Northeastern Illinois University President

Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan was named eighth President of Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) on July 15, 2024 by the NEIU Board of Trustees.

Dr. Bell-Jordan came to NEIU in 1997 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre (CMT), and went on to serve as CMT Department Chair from 2007 to 2014. She was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in March 2020, serving in this position until taking on the role of Interim President on July 1, 2023.

Dr. Bell-Jordan earned a Ph.D. in Rhetorical Studies and Media Studies and a M.A. in Rhetorical Studies at the Ohio University School of Interpersonal Communication.

Dr. Bell-Jordan is an elected member of the Skokie, Illinois District 68 Board of Education, where she has served four terms since 2011 and is currently Board Vice President.

Keynote Speaker: 
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward

As the Alderperson of the 26th Ward, she brings over a decade of experience in education, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, community development, and sustainability.

She grew up in Humboldt Park and earned a degree from NEIU and was involved with founding the Pedroso Center who is co-sponsoring the event today.

As the proud Alderperson of the 26th Ward, she has led legislative accomplishments, including the recent Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance that aims to protect housing affordability in rapidly changing neighborhoods such as Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, West Town, and Humboldt Park.

Advancing Latino Homeownership: assessments, policy, gentrification, real estate

Moderator: Hugo Balta, Publisher of Illinois Latino News

Hugo is the Publisher of Illinois Latino News (ILLN). An affiliate of the Latino News Network (LNN).

Balta is the host of Chicago Politics on CAN-TV, a solutions journalism program centered on the responses to social challenges and highlighting opportunities facing residents of Cook County.

Balta, a veteran journalist with multiple market experiences, is a communications specialist who focuses on internal and external initiatives and an educator who teaches journalism courses at Columbia College Chicago.

He is the only person to have been elected twice as President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) in the organization's more-than-40-year history and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. 

Panelists: 

Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor

Prior to beginning his career in Cook County government, Fritz spent more than 20 years valuing assets as a mutual fund portfolio manager and analyst. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Illinois Assessment Officer designations. He is also a member of the IAAO.

Fritz was born and raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago and still maintains close ties to the community. He attended Hyde Park’s Kenwood Academy for high school, completed his undergraduate studies at Haverford College, and received his MBA from Stanford University.

Since assuming office in 2018, Fritz has brought fairness, ethics and transparency to the Cook County Assessor’s Office with a vision focused on operational changes, technological upgrades, and the elimination of favoritism.

Fritz resides in Oak Park with his wife and their three children.

Norma Hernandez, Illinois State Representative, 77th District

Representative Hernandez was born and raised in Melrose Park. Before joining the General Assembly, Representative Hernandez worked as a Community Development Planner at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Great Cities Institute. Through her work at UIC, she engaged in the intersection of academic research, community engagement, policy analysis, and program development through various projects to help address urban issues across the Chicagoland area. 

She is the first Latina representing the 77th district and has earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work, Master’s in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

She was a former Board Trustee of Triton College and is currently Co-Chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation.

David Dominguez, CEO of Chicago Realty

David, the newly appointed CEO of Realty of Chicago, is a highly skilled management professional with an extensive background in real estate, operations, and mentorship.

His educational background has given him the ability to know the Chicago Real Estate market from a different perspective having received a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Keller Graduate School of Management.

His volunteer work, including involvement with the Pilsen Neighborhood Community Council and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, reflects his commitment to giving back to the community. He grew up in the Pilsen/Wicker Park Area and now resides in Lemont.

Gerardo Ravelo, Home Purchase and Financial Empowerment Program Manager, The Resurrection Project

Gerardo is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico and the home purchase and financial empowerment program manager at the Resurrection Project.

He began his career in housing counseling within the non-profit sector right out of college, inspired by his parents’ experience buying their first home and the challenges it posed for immigrant Latino families.

With over 18 years in the industry, he has dedicated his career to guiding families through difficult times, including the foreclosure crisis of 2008, and continues to support communities in achieving their housing goals.

John Schlichtman, DePaul University Professor & Author of Gentrifier

DePaul University Professor John Joe Schlichtman’s teaching and writing center on the potential for equitable, just, asset-based community development. His books aim to connect our understanding of what seem like big processes such as globalization and gentrification to the street level. They consider how organizations and people promote, resist, or exploit community transformation. What decisions do residents make in navigating it? What is its influence on neighborhoods? What paths do city leaders chart forward in the midst of it?

Access and Barriers to Homeownership

Moderator: Laura Rodríguez Presa, Senior Journalist, Chicago Tribune

Laura is senior journalist at the Chicago Tribune, as well as an adjunct professor at DePaul University and Northwestern University.

She is a trailblazing journalist and educator whose career exemplifies a deep commitment to storytelling and advocacy. Raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, Laura’s journey as a first-generation immigrant has shaped her unique perspective. 

She earned a journalism degree with a concentration in Latino media from DePaul University and now serves as a senior reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She highlights the experiences of Spanish-speaking immigrants in Chicago, weaving their stories into broader policy discussions.

In her role as vice president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Chicago Chapter allows her to champion the next generation of journalists, fundraising to support scholarships for low-income students.

Panelists: 

Jacqueline Pereda, Berwyn Township Assessor

Jacqueline was born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.  She learned her values from hardworking immigrant parents who have been small business owners throughout their lives. 

She is a graduate of Lourdes High School and then went on to The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a Minor in Latino Studies.

Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, she worked as a litigation paralegal at several successful Chicago law firms that arduously represented diverse community members. She has resided in Berwyn for the past 12 years with her husband and her two children, and has been an active volunteer at Pershing School where her son attends. 

Jacqueline is currently Berwyn’s Township Assessor.

Liza Irazoque, Real Estate Broker, RE/MAX Premier, Government Affairs Director, NAHREP Chicago (2024)

Liza is a dedicated real estate broker with RE/MAX Premier, specializing in helping clients buy and sell homes in Chicago and the surrounding areas. 

In addition to her real estate career, Liza is the Government Affairs Director for NAHREP Chicago, where she advocates for policies that support homeownership and economic empowerment within the Latino community. Her love for real estate stems from a passion for helping people find homes they love and creating lasting relationships.

Known for her client-first approach, Liza is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a home they are proud of. Her slogan, "Turning Keys to Sold," reflects her commitment to making that dream a reality.

Victoria Villalpando Weissman, Deputy Communications Director, Office of the Governor of Illinois

Victoria is the Deputy Director of Communications at the Office of Governor JB Pritzker. She previously served as the Director of Public Affairs and Public Information Officer at the Illinois Department of Human Rights. 

Before her government roles, she worked at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, overseeing logistics and communications for the largest Latino youth conference in the country.

Victoria immigrated from Mexico as a toddler and lived as an undocumented immigrant for nearly 27 years. She holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in human services from National Louis University. 

Residing in Chicago’s University Village, she enjoys going to Orangetheory, aims to run the Chicago Marathon, and recently became a U.S. citizen.

Emilio Carrasquillo, Program Manager, Spanish Coalition for Housing

Emilio serves as Program Manager for the North Side office of Spanish Coalition for Housing. He brings with him a background in real estate sales, mortgage loan origination and has over 19 years’ experience as a director in the nonprofit housing management field.

Currently he serves on the Board of Peace and Education Coalition of Back of the Yards and is an SSA Commissioner with the City of Chicago in Back of the Yards, and also serves on the advisory board of Palenque Logan Square Neighborhood Association and the Here to Stay Land Trust Board. He joined the board of the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund board by Mayoral appointment in 2019.

A lifelong resident of Humboldt Park, Emilio is focused and passionate on creating housing opportunities for families all over the Chicagoland area.