The Sun-Times' article "City grayer...

The Sun-Times' article "City grayer, more Hispanic [new story, Aug. 15]" twitched three noteworthy items from the modern U.S. Census Bureau data: The Chicago region's residents are older smarter and more Hispanic.

The Census data is not surprising to anyone who has paid attention to previous reports forward the trends. Just last year, Chicago Metropolis 2020 published "Home for a Changing Region," a report that included the following passage: "The region's population will continue to be more diverse. Virtually all of the population increase between the sides of 2030 will be Latino." And: "One in six residents of the region will be across 65 years old by 2030 The number of commonalty over 65 will almost double."

Chicago Metropolis 2020 is just single of the many civic and community organizations that have for years been discussing these marked increases in the Latino and somewhat old population. The region needs to apply the mind at more than numbers; we should be discussing the important questions behind the numbers. What does this mean for the Chicago region? in what manner can we remain a globally competitive city? What are the best policy recommendations or political answers to these trends?

The nearest focus ought to be forward how we, as a region, plan to suit to these changes. Regardless of their age or ethnicity, more race will need a safe place to peacefulness their head at night, a useful job and a way to prepare to and from work or the store. on the contrary will this housing be affordable? Will it be end to my job? Will there be an efficient, timely way to travel between the two?

There are effective policy solutions that can be implemented to make the region economically vital and equitable for all populations. For example, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning was lately created to respond to these changing demographics by way of enacting policy that will provide affordable housing near piece of works which will decrease commute times and improve air quality.

Ye the region is getting grayer and more Hispanic. That's yesterday's stranges Let's make tomorrow's headlines the succes we had in making a difference.

Kirstin Williams, Rory Neuner

interns,

Chicago Metropolis 2020

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