AAI educates the general public and Asian American audiences about Asian Americans in Illinois, in order to counter stereotypes and to provide a voice for the Asian American community in areas in which they are underrepresented.  AAI’s education and research projects include: 

Census 2010 Outreach

AAI formed an Asian American Census Coalition with  20 other Asian American community based organizations and associations to conduct a comprehensive census outreach into the Asian American community in Chicago, near by suburbs as well as Peoria, IL.

While the census was simplified this year to 10 questions, for our community it was not that simple.  Many in our community are recent immigrants who are not familiar with the U.S. Census and also face language challenges. So while it’s only 10 questions, getting our community members to participate in the Census was a challenge.

Working with over 20 organizations that are trusted in various Asian American communities, the Asian American Census Coalition was able to reach the “hard to reach” populations in our community and successfully raised the percentage of mail-in participation by at least one percent in the census tracks the Coalition conducted its outreach.

Voter Education and Outreach

AAI empowers Asian American voters through education, voter registration, exit polling, poll monitoring, and redistricting advocacy.  AAI has worked with the United States Department of Justice, local election boards, and community organizations to improve the implementation of legally required language assistance to Asian American voters.  During major elections, AAI also monitor polls in Chicago neighborhoods with significant Asian American populations to ensure that voters are not deprived of their right to vote because of voter intimidation, inappropriate requests for identification, denial of provisional ballots, or lack of required language assistance.

In the past, AAI has coordinated a nonpartisan candidates' survey for the gubernatorial and congressional elections with over 20 Asian American community organizations.  By targeting congressional districts with the highest APA populations and surveying candidates on issues pertinent to the APA community, AAI aims to help educate and empower voters.  The candidates’ responses will be published in several Asian languages to be useful and relevant for voters of different language needs.

Through the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), AAI is hosting a New Americans Democracy Project (NADP) Fellow through the November 2010 general elections.  The fellow will work closely with volunteers to carry out non-partisan voter registration and mobilization in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood and the adjoining suburbs, which have a sizable Asian American immigrant population.

The fellow, working with volunteers, will also host community meetings where community members can come and learn more about various candidates who are running for office and how their positions on issues would impact the community.

Public Education

through speaking engagements, conferences and forums, and our eNewsletter

Educational Materials such as “What’s at Stake: An Asian American Issues Platform” and “Asian American Compass: A Guide to Navigating the Community”

Asian American Compass: A Guide to Navigating the Community

AAI publishes the Asian American Compass: A Guide to Navigating the Community, a comprehensive Asian American community resource guide and directory, which contains census information, ethnic community profiles, and contact information for hundreds of local Asian American organizations..  Currently, AAI is working on the fourth edition of the Compass, and plans to distribute it to resource centers for the Chicago Public Schools,  local universities, and, corporations and corporate employee network groups.  The Compass serves as a resource for Asian American and mainstream communities to increase their understanding of the assets and challenges of Chicagoland’s extremely diverse Asian American populations.