Endorsement: Gil Villegas for Congress (IL-03)
WASHINGTON D.C.—New Politics today endorsed Marine Corps veteran and lifelong public servant Gilbert Villegas for Representative in Illinois’ Third Congressional District. Emily Cherniack, Founder and Executive Director of New Politics released the following statement:
“We’re proud to endorse Gil Villegas to represent Illinois’ Third District in Congress. Throughout his career, Gil has demonstrated an enduring commitment to empowering working families and to building a better future for his community. Whether in uniform or out, Gil has never shied away from taking on big challenges. Illinoisans deserve a battle-tested leader like Gil, and we’re thrilled to support his campaign.”
About Gil Villegas
Alderman Gil Villegas was born and raised in Chicago. After his father’s untimely death, Gil’s family moved into public housing and received Social Security survivor benefits which provided his mother the support needed to get by while Gil helped raise his little brother. At 17, he joined the US Marine Corps and proudly served overseas during Operation Desert Storm. Following his military service, Gil worked as a bread truck driver and a union shop steward for nine years. Understanding the challenges and lack of opportunities veterans and workers faced, he went on to develop a program that empowers veteran and minority-owned contractors to bid for public construction projects, helping create and support thousands of good-paying jobs, increasing workforce diversity, and training small businesses. Alderman Villegas is Chair of the Latino Caucus and helped launch a leadership and scholarship program for young people to further their education and develop skills. He has lived on the northwest side for 25 years and currently resides in the Dunning neighborhood with his fiancé, two sons, and dog.
About New Politics
New Politics is a bipartisan organization that revitalizes American democracy by recruiting, developing, and electing leaders who have committed their lives to serving our country, either through the military or national service organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. New Politics support includes strategic advising and training in all aspects of a candidate’s campaign, such as fundraising, communications, organizing, hiring, and team building. New Politics has raised more than $8.5 million for their candidates, electing more than 30 of them to office, from Congress to School Board.