• Office Sought: Representative, Illinois (4)
• Birth Date: Dec. 10, 1953
• Occupation: Educator
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Web site: http://luisgutierrez.house.gov/

Education

Northeastern Illinois University, BA

Luis Gutierrez was born in Chicago, where he still resides. He attended public and Catholic schools. He received a liberal arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University in the summer of 1976 and then moved to Puerto Rico, his family's homeland, where he taught school and got married.

Gutierrez returned to Chicago in 1978 with his wife and got a job as a cab driver. In 1979, he became a social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services. He quit in 1983 to become involved in politics.

Gutierrez worked for Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor, in 1983 and 1984. Gutierrez was elected as a city alderman in 1986, cementing Washington's hold on the city council. He chaired the city council's Housing Committee and specialized in affordable housing issues.

He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992.

Gutierrez and his wife, Soraida, have two daughters, Omaira and Jessica.

His wife has worked in the banking field for years and recently registered as an Illinois lobbyist for Popular Securities Inc., listing several state agencies as potential clients for the company's underwriting services.

Gutierrez said his wife's work is limited to Illinois, whereas his Financial Services Committee addresses federal issues.

"I just don't have a conflict," Gutierrez said. "I didn't tell her you have to give up your career you love for the career I love."