Muslim Civic Coalition Testifies in Support of Landmark Data Disaggregation Ordinance
Chicago, IL — May 8, 2026 — The Muslim Civic Coalition joined community allies last week to support a major step forward for equity in Chicago.
The Data Disaggregation Ordinance, advanced by the Chinese American Service League (CASL) and Alderwoman Nicole Lee, requires the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Family and Support Services to annually collect and publicly report detailed race and ethnicity data for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Chicago is home to one of the largest and most diverse Asian populations in the country, yet for too long, data has hidden critical differences across more than 50 ethnicities and over 100 languages.
According to the Illinois Muslims Report, Muslims are one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in the state, and Asian Americans make up 31% of Muslims in Illinois. Accurate, disaggregated data is therefore critical so that Asian Muslim voices and needs are properly counted and served.
Zainab Zahid, Wadee AlFayoumi Fellow with the Muslim Civic Coalition, delivered the organization’s testimony: “For too long, City data practices have grouped incredibly diverse populations under a single category. Better data means better services, better access, and better outcomes for families across Chicago.” She added: “When any community is made invisible in the data, we all lose. Accurate, disaggregated data is a cornerstone of equitable governance and justice for every Chicago resident.”
This work directly aligns with the Muslim Civic Coalition’s mission to advance racial, economic, and educational equity through data-driven advocacy.
We thank CASL, Alderwoman Nicole Lee, and all partners for their leadership and look forward to continued collaboration to ensure every community is seen and served.