On April 2nd, 2019, there are hundreds of municipal elections taking place across Illinois with elections for mayor, city councils, treasurers, clerks, village boards of trustees, and more. Here is everything you need to know about SAAPRI’s civic engagement work and upcoming…
Chicago, IL – The new year brings in a new era of South Asian political leadership in Illinois. SAAPRI shares the latest data on our local communities and opportunities for representation in upcoming municipal elections. On January 23rd, SAAPRI will…
The 2018 midterm elections marked a historic moment for the South Asian community in Illinois as Ram Villivalam (D) became the first South Asian American to be elected to the Illinois General Assembly. He will be representing Illinois State Senate…
On Saturday, September 29th, SAAPRI held our fall fundraiser The State of South Asian American Influence & Power in Illinois. We would like to thank all those who were able to join us and support this critical community event. Our panelists, Ram Villivalam,…
Earlier this month, SAAPRI attended the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations’ (NCSO) Annual Convening and Lobby Days led by SAALT, South Asian Americans Leading Together. SAAPRI’s Executive Director, Dhara Puvar, and SAAPRI Fellow, Anil Methipara, joined representatives of over…
On March 4th, SAAPRI co-hosted the Illinois Senate District 8 and House District 17 Candidate Forum on Asian American Women and Communities at Oakton Community Center in Skokie, IL. Senate District 8 and House District 17 have some of the…
The March 20th Illinois Primary elections were historic for the South Asian American community in Illinois. Not only were there numerous South Asian American candidates running for positions in all levels of government, but for the first time in Illinois…
On Friday, January 26, SAAPRI held a voter registration drive at the Muslim Community Center in Albany Park. The Jummah prayer brings a large crowd of worshippers to the mosque and community center around lunchtime on Friday afternoons. Alongside the…
On Thursday, September 15, South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) hosted “Our Vote Matters!,” an event focusing on the organization’s civic engagement initiative. The event brought together over 40 supporters, board members and staff together for a…
Click here to read an article about the role of Asian Americans in politics, Asian American civic engagement and political participation, and community organizations’ work around these issues. SAAPRI’s work around GOTV initiatives is featured in the piece.