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  Gutierrez, Luis V.
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationDemocratic  
<-  2011-01-01  
 
NameLuis V. Gutierrez
Address5310 W. Cullom Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60641, United States
EmailNone
Website [Link]
Born December 10, 1953 (70 years)
Contributor*crickets chirp*
Last ModifedJuan Croniqueur
Feb 13, 2024 09:11pm
Tags Hispanic - Catholic -
InfoDuring his eight terms in the U.S. House, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez has worked to establish himself as an effective legislator and energetic spokesman on behalf of his constituents in Illinois' Fourth District. At the same time, Gutierrez' tireless leadership championing the causes of the Latino and immigrant communities has led to greater responsibilities within the U.S. Congress and has earned him widespread acclaim throughout the country-- culminating in his selection as the most admired Latino leader in the country, according to a recent nationwide survey.

Gutierrez campaigned for office in 1992 promising to be a "new kind of Congressman" for the people of his ethnically diverse working- class district. He promised to be "closer to the people of Illinois rather than the lobbyists in the backrooms of Washington."

As the first Latino to be elected to Congress from the Midwest, Gutierrez sought opportunities to address long-standing needs facing the immigrant community in his diverse Congressional district, which is home to Chicago's large and established communities of immigrants from Eastern Europe as well Latin America. During his first term in office, he led the fight to increase citizenship education and English language proficiency programs for newly-arrived immigrants.

In Chicago, he has held citizenship workshops offering comprehensive assistance to prospective citizens. He was the first member of Congress to gain permission from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to complete and transmit such documents in bulk. His workshops have helped more than 25,000 people take the first steps toward citizenship. Other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have replicated his workshops in their home districts.

After the Republican take-over of Congress following the 1994 elections--and the unveiling of the GOP's harsh, anti-immigrant agenda-- Gutierrez emerged as one of the most vocal and active defenders of the rights of legal immigrants, and as one of the most staunch opponents of legislation aimed at denying immigrants their access to protections and benefits. As chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Naturalization and Citizenship, Gutierrez gained national recognition for his efforts to prevent the break-up of immigrants' families and led efforts to compel the INS to eliminate its massive backlog of citizenship applications.

Immigrants' rights advocates have regularly lobbied members of Congress to endorse legislation drafted and introduced by Gutierrez. For example, rallies were held in cities throughout the U.S. to demonstrate grass-roots backing for the "Fairness for Immigrants Act," his bill calling for the full restoration of benefits denied to legal immigrants as a result of the 1996 welfare reform bill. Similar support has been shown for Gutierrez' legislation to protect immigrants from Central America who fled civil wars and political violence in Central America during the late 1980s and early '90s. As many as 650,000 individuals from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti would benefit from his bill. More than one hundred House members agreed to co-sponsor it.

Additional pieces of legislation introduced by Gutierrez include a bill to reinstate the Section 245(i) visa program, to keep family members united while an individual awaits the awarding of a visa; and a bill to crack-down on firms that overcharge their customers-- in particular, consumers in the Mexican-American community-- sending money via international wire transfers.

During the 107th Congress, Gutierrez introduced H.R. 500, a bill to grant legal status to immigrants without documentation who are living in-- and making enormous contributions to-- the United States. This comprehensive legalization bill has gained widespread support among grass-roots groups, interfaith religious organizations and labor unions throughout the country.

Gutierrez has consistently pushed for effective legislation to stop crime and gun-related violence. He was an original sponsor of legislation to ban nineteen types of semi-automatic assault weapons and introduced a bill to ban the cheap, easily-concealed guns known as "Saturday Night Specials"-- one of the most aggressive pieces of gun safety measures put before the House.

As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, he helped pass landmark legislation to provide priority health care to veterans of the Persian Gulf War during his first term and was awarded by the Vietnam Veterans of America as "Legislator of the Year." During 1999, he passed legislation to ensure that women veterans receive treatment and care for incidents of sexual abuse that occurred while they were in the military.

Mass transit issues have also played a prominent role in Gutierrez' agenda. He secured federal authorization for a $315 million project to reconstruct the aging Douglas Branch of the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line, the "L" route which runs through the southwest side and suburbs in his district. He also introduced legislation offering tax credits to commuters who use public transit on a full-time basis. Gutierrez joined community and business leaders to implement creative ridership incentive programs and to press for the restoration of full service on the CTA.

In a survey of Hispanic voting patterns released in late 1999, Congressman Gutierrez was selected as the single leader most admired by Latino voters nationwide. The poll was commissioned by Univision, a nationwide Spanish language television network. In an open-ended, multiple response question, Gutierrez was named most often by survey participants who were asked: "What Latino leaders do you admire most?"

Gutierrez was born in Chicago on December 10, 1953. He graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 1975 and worked as a teacher, social worker, community activist and city official until his 1986 election as Alderman from the city's 26th ward. In the Chicago City Council, he led the fight for affordable housing, tougher ethics rules, and a law to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. He and his wife Soraida have two daughters, Omaira and Jessica.




JOB APPROVAL POLLS

BOOKS
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EVENTS
Start Date End Date Type Title Contributor

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor
Dec 16, 2009 09:00am General Dem lawmaker (Luis Gutierrez) moves to ignite Congress action on immigration  Article Thomas Walker 

DISCUSSION
Importance? 8.00000 Average

FAMILY
Daughter Jessica W. Gutierrez 0000-

INFORMATION LINKS
RACES
  11/08/2016 IL District 04 Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  03/15/2016 IL District 04 - D Primary Won 75.17% (+50.35%)
  11/04/2014 IL - District 04 Won 78.15% (+56.29%)
  03/18/2014 IL District 4 - D Primary Won 74.34% (+57.85%)
  11/06/2012 IL - District 04 Won 83.00% (+66.01%)
  03/20/2012 IL District 04- D Primary Won 99.98% (+99.96%)
  11/02/2010 IL - District 04 Won 77.36% (+63.04%)
  11/04/2008 IL - District 04 Won 80.60% (+69.13%)
  02/05/2008 IL District 04 - D Primary Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  11/07/2006 IL - District 04 Won 85.84% (+71.68%)
  03/21/2006 IL District 04- D Primary Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  11/02/2004 IL - District 04 Won 83.71% (+71.30%)
  03/16/2004 IL - District 04 - D Primary Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  11/05/2002 IL DIstrict 4 Won 79.68% (+64.56%)
  11/07/2000 IL District 4 Won 88.63% (+77.27%)
  03/21/2000 IL District 4-D Primary Won 82.28% (+64.57%)
  11/03/1998 IL District 4 Won 81.75% (+65.88%)
  11/05/1996 IL District 4 Won 93.57% (+87.15%)
  03/19/1996 IL District 04 -D Primary Won 70.83% (+49.42%)
  11/08/1994 IL District 4 Won 75.22% (+50.44%)
  03/15/1994 IL District 4 - D Primary Won 63.73% (+27.47%)
  11/03/1992 IL DIstrict 4 Won 77.57% (+55.14%)
  03/17/1992 IL District 4 - D Primary Won 59.75% (+19.50%)
  02/26/1991 Chicago Ward 26 Won 71.73% (+57.35%)
  04/29/1986 Chicago Ward 26 Won 53.15% (+6.30%)
SPECULATIVE, DID NOT RUN
  08/11/2020 US President - D Primaries Lost 0.00% (-51.46%)
  02/26/2019 Chicago Mayor Lost 0.00% (-17.54%)
  03/20/2018 IL District 04 - D Primary Lost 0.00% (-66.22%)
ENDORSEMENTS
Chicago Mayor - Feb 28, 2023 D Jesús G. "Chuy" García
NY Assembly 39 - D Primary - Sep 13, 2018 D Catalina Cruz
IL Governor - D Primary - Mar 20, 2018 D J. B. Pritzker
IL District 04 - D Primary - Mar 20, 2018 D Jesús G. "Chuy" García
IL District 03 - D Primary - Mar 20, 2018 D Marie Newman
DNC Party Chair - Feb 25, 2017 D Keith M. Ellison
CA District 44 - Open Primary - Jun 07, 2016 D Nanette Díaz Barragán
IL State House 077 - Nov 06, 2012 R Angelo "Skip" Saviano
IL State House 021- D Primary - Mar 20, 2012 D Rudy Lozano Jr
OH District 9 - D Primary - Mar 06, 2012 D Dennis J. Kucinich
Chicago Mayor - Feb 22, 2011 D Gery Chico
US House Minority Whip - Nov 16, 2010 D James E. "Jim" Clyburn
Cook County Board President - D Primary - Feb 02, 2010 D Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County State's Attorney - D Primary - Feb 05, 2008 D Larry Suffredin
US President - D Primaries - Jun 03, 2008 D Barack Obama
Chicago Mayor - Feb 27, 2007 D Richard M. Daley
Cook County Board President- D Primary - Mar 21, 2006 D John H. Stroger, Jr.
TX District 28 - D Primary - Mar 07, 2006 D Ciro Rodriguez
IL US President - D Primary - Mar 16, 2004 D Howard Dean
IL State House 004 - D Primary - Mar 21, 2000 D Cynthia Soto
Chicago Mayor - Apr 04, 1989 D Richard M. Daley
Chicago Mayor - D Primary - Feb 28, 1989 D Richard M. Daley
Chicago Mayor - Appointment - Dec 02, 1987 D Timothy Evans
FEC COMMITTEES
C00254581 GUTIERREZ FOR CONGRESS $ 1080.43