William Delgado
Encyclopedia
William "Willie" Delgado is a Democratic
member of the Illinois Senate
, representing the 2nd district since 2006. He was first elected in 2006, replacing Miguel del Valle
, who was elected Chicago City Clerk. Previously, Delgado served in the Illinois House of Representatives
from 1999–2006 and was replaced by Luis Arroyo
.
but was raised in Chicago
. He graduated from Tilden High School and Northeastern Illinois University
, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology.
Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart Iris Santiago. They have two children.
, the Mayor’s Office of Summer Employment and Training and the Association House of Chicago. With each of these organizations, Delgado’s main responsibility was youth outreach. He later served as a Youth and Family Counselor, then as Probation and Parole Officer in Miami, Florida
. When he returned to Chicago, he continued his community service at the Department of Children and Family Services.
Delgado was active in state wide politics as well. He served as Hispanic Liaison for former Attorney General Roland Burris and Latino Liaison during the 1994 campaign of gubernatorial candidate Dawn Clark Netsch
. While with Attorney General Burris, Delgado organized and implemented the “Gun Turn in Day” program, which led to the removal of more than 142 illegal firearms from the streets of Chicago.
The five years prior to his election as representative, Delgado worked as Director of Community Services for State Senator Miguel del Valle
.
Delgado was endorsed by the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America in 1996 as a member of The New Party and candidate to win the Democratic ballot line for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 3rd District on the west side of Chicago. He was endorsed due to his long time standing as a community activist with an academic background in criminal justice and social work.
Delgado’s top legislative priorities are education reform, economic development, and crime prevention. He is working to develop school safety initiatives to keep drugs and guns out of local classrooms. Delgado also supports reducing class sizes, improving classroom discipline, and increasing state support for school construction grant funding. Delgado also highlights his work as “champion of health and physical fitness issues.” He has sponsored legislation to see that physical fitness is emphasized in schools state-wide.
Representative Delgado serves on seven committees: Appropriations for Elementary and Secondary Education; Fee for Service Initiatives; Human Services; Judiciary II- Criminal Law; KidCare; Managing Sex Offender Issues; and Registration and Regulation.
. Del Valle was appointed as City Clerk of Chicago
by Mayor Richard M. Daley
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
, representing the 2nd district since 2006. He was first elected in 2006, replacing Miguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle is an American politician and the former City Clerk of Chicago. He was an Illinois State Senator for two decades, representing the 2nd district of Chicago from 1987 – 2006...
, who was elected Chicago City Clerk. Previously, Delgado served in the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
from 1999–2006 and was replaced by Luis Arroyo
Luis Arroyo (politician)
Luis Arroyo is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 3rd District since he was appointed in 2006.-External links:* official IL House website** * profile* profile...
.
Early life
Delgado was born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
but was raised in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He graduated from Tilden High School and Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University is a public state university located in Chicago, Illinois. The main campus is located in the community area of North Park with three additional campuses in the metropolitan area. Tracing its founding to 1867, it was first established as a separate branch of a...
, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology.
Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart Iris Santiago. They have two children.
Public service
Delgado began his career coordinating youth programs for the West Town YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, the Mayor’s Office of Summer Employment and Training and the Association House of Chicago. With each of these organizations, Delgado’s main responsibility was youth outreach. He later served as a Youth and Family Counselor, then as Probation and Parole Officer in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. When he returned to Chicago, he continued his community service at the Department of Children and Family Services.
Delgado was active in state wide politics as well. He served as Hispanic Liaison for former Attorney General Roland Burris and Latino Liaison during the 1994 campaign of gubernatorial candidate Dawn Clark Netsch
Dawn Clark Netsch
Dawn Clark Netsch is an Illinois professor of law and politician. A member of the Democratic Party in the United States, she served in the Illinois State Senate, as Illinois Comptroller and in 1994 was the first woman to be nominated by a major political party to run for Governor of...
. While with Attorney General Burris, Delgado organized and implemented the “Gun Turn in Day” program, which led to the removal of more than 142 illegal firearms from the streets of Chicago.
The five years prior to his election as representative, Delgado worked as Director of Community Services for State Senator Miguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle is an American politician and the former City Clerk of Chicago. He was an Illinois State Senator for two decades, representing the 2nd district of Chicago from 1987 – 2006...
.
Delgado was endorsed by the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America in 1996 as a member of The New Party and candidate to win the Democratic ballot line for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 3rd District on the west side of Chicago. He was endorsed due to his long time standing as a community activist with an academic background in criminal justice and social work.
State Representative
Delgado was first elected in 1998.Delgado’s top legislative priorities are education reform, economic development, and crime prevention. He is working to develop school safety initiatives to keep drugs and guns out of local classrooms. Delgado also supports reducing class sizes, improving classroom discipline, and increasing state support for school construction grant funding. Delgado also highlights his work as “champion of health and physical fitness issues.” He has sponsored legislation to see that physical fitness is emphasized in schools state-wide.
Representative Delgado serves on seven committees: Appropriations for Elementary and Secondary Education; Fee for Service Initiatives; Human Services; Judiciary II- Criminal Law; KidCare; Managing Sex Offender Issues; and Registration and Regulation.
State Senator
William Delgado was appointed Illinois State Senator, by the former State Senator Miguel del ValleMiguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle is an American politician and the former City Clerk of Chicago. He was an Illinois State Senator for two decades, representing the 2nd district of Chicago from 1987 – 2006...
. Del Valle was appointed as City Clerk of Chicago
City Clerk of Chicago
City Clerk of Chicago is in charge of record keeping for the city and elections. While the Chicago City Council is in session, the City Clerk serves as secretary...
by Mayor Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
.
External links
- Senator William Delgado (D) 2nd District official IL Senate website
- Senator William Delgado at Illinois Senate Democrats