State Senator Omar Aquino, a Chicago native from the Northwest Side, is the son of Puerto Rican public servants. His mother worked for Chicago Public Schools while his father worked with the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Inspired by their commitment and his community, he chose a life of public service.
A graduate of Chicago Public Schools, Aquino earned degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Loyola University Chicago. Aquino began his career as a bilingual case manager at the Jane Addams School of Social Work, where he helped seniors access critical services through the Community Care Program. He later served in the Illinois House of Representatives as a Legislative Coordinator and as Outreach Coordinator for then Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth.
Understanding how social determinants of health like housing, access to food, education, public-safety and employment stability shape health outcomes, Aquino sought to drive change at the policy level. In 2016, with the support of community leaders and organizations, he was elected as the nominee and later appointed state senator for Illinois’ 2nd District.
Building on that experience, Aquino has focused his legislative work on improving community-based services that address the root causes of health inequities. During his tenure in the Illinois General Assembly, Aquino has championed landmark legislation, including the Way Forward Act, which ended immigration detention in Illinois.
He also championed the creation of the Illinois Child Tax Credit program to support working families with young children and led negotiations to establish the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program, the first program in the nation to extend Medicaid-like benefits to undocumented seniors.
As Majority Caucus Chair and a leader across multiple Senate committees, Aquino has played a key role in advocating for wage increases for home care workers over the years, supporting the individuals that work to ensure our seniors lead independent and dignified lives. Additionally, he has championed numerous Medicaid reforms and funding for safety-net hospitals that serve underinsured and uninsured individuals, reforming our health systems across Illinois to promote health care as a human right.
Through his policy work and constituent services, Aquino continues to advocate for investments that strengthen community infrastructure and expand access to resources, aiming to improve health outcomes and advance equitable opportunities for the Latino community.
