As the autumnal hues give way, Cook County officials and community members came together on November 1 to mark Día de los Muertos, a vibrant celebration of life and a heartfelt remembrance of the departed. This gathering at the Cook County Building was graced with the presence of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, several Cook County Commissioners, including Frank Aguilar and Anthony Quezada, as well as local ofrenda artists and members of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois. According to an announcement from county officials, the event culminated with performances by local residents and a collective reflection before an ofrenda honoring those who've passed.
President Preckwinkle, in a statement, captured the essence of the occasion by noting, "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 a cultural tapestry woven from Meso-American traditions, deeply rooted in the honorable acknowledgment of death and the perpetuity of the life cycle.
The centerpiece of the celebration is the ofrenda, an altar adorned with offerings and personal mementos to welcome the spirits. Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar commented on the significance and the heartfelt intentions behind these altars, saying, "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." These tributes serve as a manifest connection between the living and their cherished predecessors.
This year's event was particularly impactful with the inaugural inclusion of artwork by Juan Hernandez and Araceli Ramirez. Their art fused cultural elements from Mexico, Mexican American communities, and Chicano influences, showcasing a lineage of customs that extend from their origins in Mexico to the heart of Cook County. Miguel Sánchez, director of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, expressed pride and appreciation for the collaboration with local leaders to manifest this celebration, "For the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, it is a great honor to represent this pre-Hispanic tradition of Mexico such as the celebration of the Day of the Dead together with Commissioner Frank Aguilar who has always distinguished himself as a leader in the community and preserving the roots, customs and traditions of the Mexican people. We also thank President Toni Preckwinkle for her support of this important celebration."
Marking its fourth consecutive year, Cook County's Día de los Muertos observance with an ofrenda in their building is not only a cultural acknowledgment but also a clarion call to support one another in community spirit. The event underlines a collective ethos: to remember and honor the lives and contributions of loved ones in both their presence and absence.
