Miguel del Valle
Miguel del Valle | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office 1987 -2006 | |
| Succeeded by | William Delgado |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lupe |
| Profession | City Clerk of Chicago |
Miguel del Valle is the current City Clerk of Chicago and the former Illinois State Senator for the 2nd district of Chicago, which he had served since 1987.
Early life
Del Valle was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the predominately Puerto Rican West Town and Humboldt Park neighborhoods of Chicago. He graduated from Tuley High School (now Jose de Diego Community Academy) in 1969 and went on to Northeastern Illinois University where he joined the Union for Puerto Rican Students and wrote for the Puerto Rican/Latina/o publication Que Ondee Sola. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Education and Guidance.
Public service
Miguel del Valle was appointed- by Mayor Richard M. Daley -as City Clerk after the elected sitting clerk was indicted on federal charges. Del Valle won election to the post in 2007, becoming the first Latino elected to city-wide office in Chicago.
As the City Clerk, del Valle has brought greater transparency to Chicago by posting nearly 700,000 pages of searchable City Council records to his website. This includes every ordinance passed since 1981, the Bryne Administration, as well as city budgets and Mayoral Executive orders going back nearly 30 years.
Del Valle was previously a State Senator. Before becoming state senator, del Valle served as a Unit Director of Barreto Boys and Girls Club and Executive Director of Association House. He also worked for the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Pilsen-Little Village Mental Health Center.
Additionally he served on several non-profit organizational boards, including Josephinium High School, the Latino Institute and the Spanish Coalition for Housing. He has also served as Chairman of the Mayor Harold Washington’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, and taught a class at Roosevelt University called “Latinos and Public Policy.”
Senate career
Del Valle was the Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate, and he was the first Latino to hold that position. He served as an outspoken advocate for Latino representation in the legislative and judicial branches of government. He was the Co-Chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and was the only Latino member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. His leadership in redistricting cases in 1981, 1991 and 2001 led to the creation of Latino majority districts on the city, county, and state levels.
Del Valle sponsored legislation to protect homeowners by stopping the forgery of quitclaim deeds which is the process of transferring the title or deed of property to another individual or company. He has also sponsored legislation to provide harsher punishment for ATM crimes; provide Illinois with more Early Childhood Teachers; provide comprehensive health coverage for every child in Illinois; and increase funding for Advanced Placement courses in Illinois high schools.
Del Valle is the founder of the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees (IAHSE). He is the co-founder of several Latino organizations, including the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher Education (ILACHE); the Alliance of Latinos and Jews; and the Illinois Hispanic Democratic Council (IHDC). He also developed the annual Department of Children and Family Services Hispanic Families Conference.
Del Valle is the former Vice-Chairman of the Education Committee, Co-Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Education Funding Reform and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. He also served on the Senate Executive Committee, the Senate Labor Committee, and the Higher Education Committee.
Personal life
Senator del Valle is married to Lupe, and has four children: Miguel Jr., Ivan, Esteban, and Vanessa.
On November 6, 2005 at the 24TH annual Gen-Ki Kung Fu Championships held at Truman College in Chicago, Illinois State Senator Miguel del Valle was promoted to 1ST Degree Black Belt. With over 500 spectators as witnessess and with over 75 Chicago area Black Belts in attendance this high honor was bestowed upon him. On behalf of the Martial Arts Karate Association (MAKA) 8TH Dan Jerry Weiss, President and 4TH Dan Adam Weiss (Gen Ki.com). A ten minute speech was given by 6TH Dan Augie Blancas (USDTKA/CHKA/NFW) reviewing the many accomplishments of State Senator Miguel del Valle. From his work with the Barreto Boys Club in the early 1970s to his many, many accomplishments as a then 18 year Illinois State Senator. This honor was presented in consonance with the respect and dignity he deserves for "Looking out for those who look out for us." I can still hear the applause as Master Jerry Weiss presented The Senator with his official Gen-Ki Jacket and 1ST Degree Black Belt Certificate. May all Martial Artists everywhere welcome and respect our newest MAKA Black Belt. Miguel, keep up the great work. Thanks, AB