Chicago City Council Passes Historic AANHPI Data Equity Ordinance During Heritage Month

The ordinance, introduced by  Ald. Nicole Lee (11^th Ward) with support from the Chinese American Service League (CASL), requires the city’s two largest human services agencies – the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)- to annually collect and publicly release disaggregated data on more than 15 Asian ethnic groups.

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CHICAGO, IL — May 26, 2026 — On May 20, Chicago City Council passed historic legislation that will transform how the city collects and reports race and ethnicity data for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) residents.

The ordinance, introduced by the Chinese American Service League in partnership with Nicole Lee, requires the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to annually collect and publicly release disaggregated data across more than 15 Asian ethnic groups and multiple Pacific Islander communities.

Beyond data collection, the ordinance requires both agencies to identify and recommend improvements to gaps in services and resources for communities that have historically been overlooked due to aggregated data systems.

According to CASL’s 2026 Change InSight report, aggregated data often obscures major disparities within AANHPI communities. While 14.6% of respondents overall reported transportation barriers, nearly 33% of Vietnamese respondents reported barriers compared to 11.2% of Filipino respondents. The report also found that more than 85% of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian respondents reported limited English proficiency — significantly higher than the national average reported for Asian Americans overall.

Advocates say these disparities highlight why disaggregated data is necessary to ensure public resources and policies reflect the lived realities of Chicago’s diverse AANHPI populations.

Passed during AANHPI Heritage Month, the legislation marks a major milestone in advancing equity for communities whose differences in healthcare access, language services, transportation, housing and education outcomes have often been hidden within broad racial categories.

“Data tells the story of who is seen, who is served, and who is too often left behind,” said Paul Luu, CEO of CASL. “This ordinance is about making sure Chicago’s AANHPI communities are no longer invisible in the data that shapes public policy. During AANHPI Heritage Month, we celebrate the richness and diversity of our communities, and this legislation helps ensure that diversity is reflected in how the city understands and responds to community needs.”

The ordinance reflects more than a year of advocacy led by CASL alongside seven community , advocates and residents across Chicago. Since the legislation was introduced in 2025, CASL staff, expert witnesses and community partners have testified before City Council committees and worked closely with alderpeople to advance the measure. Community members and partner organizations also delivered public comments ahead of the final vote.

“Because of language and cultural barriers, many immigrant families face immense hurdles navigating healthcare, housing and legal systems,” said Irene Jisun Sohn, executive director of CASL community partner organization Hanul Family Alliance. “These challenges look vastly different across diverse AANHPI groups. This is a critical piece of legislation that directly impacts the health and well-being of Chicago’s AANHPI communities.”

With the passage of the ordinance, Chicago joins a growing movement among major U.S. cities and jurisdictions advancing disaggregated data collection for AANHPI communities. CASL will continue working alongside city agencies, community partners and stakeholders to help inform implementation and ensure the new reporting practices reflect the needs and lived experiences of Chicago’s diverse communities.

CASL also recognizes the advocacy and partnership of Apna Ghar, Cambodian Association, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, CIRCA Pintig, Hanul, Muslim Civic Coalition, Nepalese Aide and the Rizal Center, whose continued leadership helped advance this effort.