Methodology (Suburbs Slow To Get On Board)

The Chicago Reporter surveyed officials from 31 suburban communities in the six-county Chicago metropolitan area that, according to an analysis of Census data from 1990 and 2000, had emerged as new immigrant ports of entry. These communities counted at least 5,000 foreign-born residents in 2000 and a total population of at least 20,000. The Reporter survey attempted to discern to what degree communities had adopted strategies and policies that either embraced or shunned immigrants, and included questions about law enforcement and municipal, housing and employment ordinances, political representation, language services, translation of government documents and civic participation. Census data were also analyzed to determine the country of origin of foreign-born residents, citizenship rates and their English-language abilities.