About

The Coalición Latinos Unidos de Lake County (CLULC), also known as the Latino Coalition, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Latino community through education, professional networking, and access to essential services. Founded in 1994 by a group of Latino professionals, CLULC has been a driving force for positive change in Lake County.

In 2024, we proudly celebrated 30 years of service, growing into a strong advocate and facilitator of networking and resource-sharing opportunities. Our monthly meetings serve as a vital platform for fostering connections and addressing community needs, as reflected in the active participation of our dedicated members.

We continuously welcome new services, members, and partners to strengthen collaborations and expand our impact. Our vision centers on education and leadership development, allowing us to address key issues affecting our community. The journey is ongoing, but with your support, we can continue making a meaningful difference.

Our Mission

To serve with harmony, strength and unity to improve the quality of life in the Latino community through education, professional networking and accessibility of services.

• Participated in the redistricting process and the creation of the 9th Electoral District which has improved the opportunities for Latino representation.
• Collaborated with immigrant services organizations to provide annual immigration forums and citizenship workshops to help with citizenship applications.
• Focused on the education of Latino youth aiming at a reduction of the drop-out rate through a special committee.
• Established the Latino Leadership Conference in cooperation with the College of Lake County and the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, in memory of the Waukegan Police Chief Miguel Juarez.
• Provides scholarships for students of Hispanic descent at the Noche de Gala fundraising event.
• Contributes to several scholarship programs, including the Puerto Rican Society, the Alicia Hernandez fund at CLC, etc.
• Cooperates with the University Center of Lake County in offering FAFSA workshops in English and Spanish.
• Has participated in the voter registration drives to encourage civic participation.
• Participated in the NAACP 2010 & 2012 Lake County’s Candidate Forum and the Father Gary Graf Center’s Non-Partisan Candidates Forum.
• Helped in bringing the Chicago Latino Film Festival to Waukegan for the first time in 2010 and collaborated with other organizations to make its return in 2011.
• The Latino Coalition was key in assisting the Office of the Governor in bringing the Dialogos event to Lake County this past year.

We’re very proud of our accomplishments! Dedication, commitment and perseverance are just a few of the qualities we must bring to the table when going after our goals. However, we can’t do it with your support! Become a member, get involved and make a difference with us.