Chinese-American residents are starting to get the attention of some local politicians.

At a standing-room only town hall meeting last night, Chinatown residents pressured five representatives for a larger library, and a field house. They once had a field house, but it was torn down 40 years ago to make way for the Dan Ryan extension.

Leonard Louie of the Chinese American Civic Council says he knows lots of communities want more city amenities, but…

LOUIE: I think ours is just a little bit different, because we are not asking for something new. All we’re asking for is: give us back what we had before.

Alderman Daniel Solis (25th) surprised community leaders by telling them a local Tax Increment Financing district has generated more than they thought for the project, to the tune of $10 million.

Solis also said that since he was appointed in 1996, he’s never engaged with his ward’s Chinese-American community in such an organized manner. Local leaders have registered thousands of new voters, and want the community consolidated into one political district next year.