2011
February 8

Chicago Sister Cities International staff visited Mexico City to meet with educators and government officials and cultural officials to establish new contacts and plan future educational projects and a culinary exchange between Mexico City and Chicago.

October 6

The Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted a welcome reception at the Chicago Cultural Center to welcome more than 2,000 Mexican marathon runners participating in the 2011 Chicago Marathon.

October 19

The Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and Kendall College held evening of culinary delights in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with Mexico City. The fundraiser featured renowned executive chefs from Mexico City and Chicago, including Lula Martín del Campo from Roca (Mexico City), Enrique Olvera from Pujol (Mexico City - ranked among the top 50 restaurants in the world), Daniel Ovadia from Paxia (Mexico City), Jair Tellez from MeroToro (Mexico City), Rick Bayless from Frontera Grill and Topolobampo (Chicago), Jimmy Bannos from The Purple Pig and Heaven on Seven (Chicago), Greg Elliott from Lockwood Restaurant (Chicago), Carlos Gaytan from Mexique (Chicago), Laura Piper from Trattoria No. 10 (Chicago), Arun Sampanthavivat from Arun's (Chicago), and Randy Waidner from Gibsons Steakhouse (Chicago). All proceeds supported the educational and cultural activities organized by the Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International.

 

2010
March 10

The Consulate General of Mexico in cooperation with The National Museum of Mexican Art and The Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted a Kick Off Reception for Mexico 2010, commemorating the Bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution.

March 26

The Consulate General of Mexico in cooperation with The Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra hosted a reception for Mexican Pianist Alondra de la Parra  to inaugurate a series of concerts she would perform with the Chicago Sinfonietta.


2009
March 10

The Consulate General of Mexico in cooperation with the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Mexico City Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted a Kick Off for Mexico 2010, commemoration the Bicentennial of Mexico's Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution.

October 1- 4

Focus: Medical
Dr. Fernando Cordera from ABC Medical Center participated int he Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium: Sister Cities Medical Initiative

Ongoing

McKinley Park Elementary and Ogden School of International Studies have an ongoing working partnership with Esuela Secundaria Annex, a la Normal de Mexico focusing on teacher and student exchange programs as well as curriculum focused arts programs using technology infused curricular systems.

 

2008
April

Focus: Education
Licenciado Flores Suaste, principal of CCH-UNAM Plantel Sur, Mr. Luis R. Aguilar, assistant principal, and María Elena Ruíz, English Department Chairperson came to Chicago to meet with counterpart administrators at Roosevelt High School, Little Village High School and a visit to the UNAM Chicago Campus.

November

Focus: Culture

The Chicago Cultural Center displayed a Mexico City Day of the Dead Altar in honor of Dia de Los Muertos.

2007
March 27

Focus: Economic Development
Alejandro Silva, Chair of the Mexico City Committee, met with Mr. Samuel Podolsky, President of the Economic Council of Mexico City Competitiveness and Economic Development, at the Industrial Club in Mexico City to discuss how to further the Chicago-Mexico City relationship. Prior to this, a meeting was held at Boeing headquarters to discuss goals and recommendations for Mr. Silva’s trip.

May 23

Focus: Economic Development
Mr. Samuel Podolsky, President of the Economic Council of Mexico City Competitiveness and Economic Development, visited Chicago to participate in the WiFi conference and begin strengthening the Chicago-Mexico City relationship. CSCIP also arranged for Mr. Podolsky to meet with officials from the National Museum of Mexican Art and CPS to discuss potential partnership in art, culture and education.

September 15-29

Focus: Social Service
Twelve Mexico City social work professionals attended a 2-week exchange. The Mexico City delegates visited several Chicagoland social service sites. Additionally they will attend and present at the statewide 3-day conference of the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter with over 500 Illinois Social Workers in attendance.

October 29-30

Focus: Economic Development
Joel Ortega Cuevas, Secretary of Public Security of Mexico City, and Jesús Villarreal Gallegos, Technical Coordinator of the Secretary, visited Chicago to access the city’s emergency management, in efforts to implement a similar institution in Mexico City.

October

Focus: Education
The principal from Ogden School, (Kenneth Staral) visited his Sister School in Mexico City taking the Sister School document to be signed by the Principal in Mexico City.

2006
December 29

Chicago Sister Cities board member Kathleen Borland met with the Mexican Consul General Carlos M. Sada to discuss Social Service Exchange.

2003
September 22-24

Focus: Cultural
Mexican Market is held at Daley Plaza

September 17

Focus: Culture
In collaboration with the Mexican Passion Festival, a gala was held to kick-off the Mexican Market held at Daley Plaza, September 22-24, 2003.

2002
September 26

Focus: Education
Through the Sister Schools Abroad Program, Stone Elementary School submitted ten paintings to Sister Cities Student Art Exhibit at the "Papalote Museo del Nino" in Mexico City.

2000

Focus: Culture
The Mexico City Committee hosted a celebration of the contribution of Mexican American culinary artists from some of Chicago’s finest kitchens. The celebration, emceed by Rafael Romo of Channel 66/Univision, took place at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, where guests sampled the variety of specialties provided by five Mexican American chefs from some of Chicago’s finest restaurants. The committee awarded a culinary scholarship for Mexican American students at Illinois Institute of Art.

Focus: Culture
The Mexico City Committee solicited artwork by Chicago children to be included in a children’s art exhibition in Mexico City featuring artwork from Mexico City’s sister cities.

1999

Focus: Education
The Mexico City Committee donated refurbished computers to two schools in Mexico City.

Focus: Medical & Social Service
The Mexico City Committee facilitated a meeting between representatives of Mexico City’s HIV/AIDs program and the Chicago Department of Public Health that resulted in an ongoing collaboration.

Focus: Medical & Social Service
The Mexico City Committee shipped refurbished medical equipment to Mexico City.

Focus: Culture
University of Chicago professor of Mexican history and author Dr. Frederick Katz gave a lecture on his book Poncho Villa, in conjunction with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Mexican Fine Arts Museum, and the Mexican Consulate General.

1998
Focus: Government
An eagle monument was dedicated by former Mexico City mayor and current Minister of Tourism Oscar Espinosa Villareal and Mayor Richard M. Daley. It was unveiled at its permanent location in Pilsen.

Focus: Government
Newly elected Mexico City Mayor Cardenas led a delegation to Chicago.

Focus: Culture
A World in a Weekend featured Mexico City.

1997

Focus: Government
The Mexico City Committee welcomed former Mayor of Mexico City, Oscar Espinosa Villarreal and a small municipal and business delegation. The visit included a viewing of the Chicago premier of the Imax film "Mexico", followed by a reception at Navy Pier's Crystal Room. They also toured of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the 911 Center and attended a ceremony for the installation of the Eagle Sculpture in the Pilsen community. In addition, an internet linkup was established between a Chicago elementary school and a school in Mexico City.

July

Focus: Environment
Two environmentalists from Mexico City visited Chicago to explore the possibilities of creating a Xochimilco Ecological Park in Chicago. They were hosted by representatives of the Department of Environment.

1993

Focus: Culture
The Mexico City Committee sponsored The Art of the Other Mexico: Sources and Meanings. This exhibit, produced by the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum opened in November 1993 and featured contemporary artwork of 20 artists of Mexican descent from across the U.S.

Focus: Culture
Artist Monica Castillo participated in the O'Hare International Airport Terminal mural project. The mural representing Ms. Castillo's impression of Chicago, titled El Viento (The Wind), is permanently installed in the arrival corridor of the International Terminal at O'Hare Airport.

Focus: Culture
The Mexico City Committee participated in the CSCIP poetry competition.

1992

Focus: Culture
Helen Valdez, Chair of the Mexico City Committee, presented slides and information on the Archaeological Treasures of Tenochitian exhibit.

Focus: Culture
Chicago poets participated in the Poem for Mexico City contest where the prize for the winner was a trip to Mexico City and the opportunity to perform. Poets from Mexico City, Prague, and Shenyang attended the finals.

1991

Focus: Signing
Chicago and Mexico City became friendship cities in October 1991, when Mayor Richard M. Daley and Mexico City Mayor Manuel Camacho Solis signed a Friendship Cities Agreement at a reception hosted by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. While in Chicago, Mayor Solis addressed the University of Chicago's Mexican Studies Department, visited the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and toured Chicago's Mexican communities. Prior to the signing, Mexico City officials Hesiquio Aguilar and Xavier Casillas participated in the 1991 Sister Cities International Conference held in July.