When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made arrests in Evanston in October 2025, Ricardo Villalobos noticed something: the Latino community wasn't centered in the city's response.

"The way that we saw the community react, often we weren't centered in those communications and those efforts," Villalobos said. "It really highlighted to us that we need to be the ones leading and being in the forefront of things that impact our community directly."

That realization helped spark the Coalición Latina de Evanston, a group of about 30 Latino partners that formed in early 2026. The coalition is now pushing the city for concrete changes: a Spanish-language translation of the city's website and on-site interpreters at City Council meetings.

In June 2026, the coalition held its first community forum, inviting Latino residents to identify gaps in city services and resources. Representation at City Council emerged as a key concern, according to Villalobos, who coordinates the group alongside Maria Rocio.

The two lead biweekly meetings to plan the coalition's advocacy. Rocio told the Evanston RoundTable that the group grew out of frustration that Latino residents' voices weren't reaching decision-makers. She said many residents don't know about available programs because information isn't shared in Spanish.

The coalition's member organizations include Open Communities, Latinos en Evanston Northshore, the YWCA Evanston/Northshore, Evanston Latinos, the Evanston Public Library, Family Focus, the Evanston Community Foundation, and Community Organizing and Family Issues. The City of Evanston itself is also listed as a partner.

City spokesperson Cynthia Vargas confirmed the city has engaged with the coalition. Deputy City Manager Carina Sánchez, Vargas, and staff from the Robert Crown Branch Library are serving as the city's representatives in those conversations. Vargas said the city seeks to support organizations that serve Evanston residents and foster community engagement.

The advocacy comes as Evanston's Latino population continues to grow. Census data shows the Hispanic population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, rising from 4,541 residents to 8,778. As of 2024 American Community Survey estimates, about 9,408 residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, roughly 12.3% of the city's 76,380 population. Nearly 22% of Evanston residents age five and older speak a language other than English at home, according to Census Bureau figures.

The coalition is gathering community input and planning meetings with city officials, though no specific date has been set. Residents interested in getting involved can connect through any of the member organizations listed above.