West Cook News

On November 1, Cook County officials and local residents gathered to celebrate Día de Los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. The event took place in the lobby of the Cook County Building, featuring an ofrenda—a traditional altar for honoring deceased loved ones.

Attendees included Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioners Frank Aguilar, Anthony Quezada, Alma Anaya, Tara Stamps, and John Daley. Ofrenda artists Juan Hernandez and Araceli Ramirez were present along with representatives from the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois.

Toni Preckwinkle emphasized the significance of maintaining connections with ancestors: “The celebration of Día de Los Muertos acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away. Today, we invite those Cook County residents who have left us to come back into our lives, if only for a moment, and remember the impact they had on all of us.”

Día de los Muertos is celebrated annually on November 1 and 2 to honor deceased family members through customs such as creating altars (ofrendas), offering special foods, and visiting graves.

Frank J. Aguilar highlighted the purpose of the ofrenda: “The Día de Los Muertos ofrenda represents a memorial to remember and honor the lives of loved ones who passed on. It’s remembering the good times we’ve had spent with them, keeping their memory alive in our hearts.”

Miguel Sánchez from the Mexican Civic Society expressed gratitude: "For the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, it is a great honor to represent this pre-Hispanic tradition... We also thank President Toni Preckwinkle for her support."

This marked the fourth consecutive year that county officials celebrated Dia de los Muertos with an ofrenda at this location. This year featured artwork by Juan Hernandez and Araceli Ramirez that combined elements from Mexican culture with influences from Chicago's diverse communities.

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