Omar Aquino is a Democratic state senator representing Illinois Senate District 2, which covers parts of Chicago's Northwest Side. Born on June 24, 1987, in Chicago to Puerto Rican descent parents who worked for Chicago Public Schools and the Department of Streets and Sanitation, he was raised in the community and inspired by their public service involvement. A Catholic, Aquino has served as senator since 2016, becoming the youngest-ever Latino member of the Illinois State Senate at age 29. Notable positions include Majority Caucus Chair , Majority Caucus Whip , and committee roles such as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, member of Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Labor, and Transportation committees. He champions education, aging services, human services, and infrastructure, securing over $10.5 million for local roads and bridges.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Sociology and B.S. in Criminal Justice from Loyola University Chicago ; attended Chicago Public Schools; Loyola University Diversity Councilman; Co-Founder, Empowerment Pipeline Education Program.
• Early Career: Bilingual Case Manager at Central West Case Management Unit, Jane Addams School of Social Work; Legislative Assistant in the Illinois House of Representatives; Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, focusing on unemployment, minimum wage, immigration, education, seniors, economic development, and veterans.
• Political Experience: Ran for Chicago's 36th Ward alderman in 2015; announced candidacy for Senate District 2 in 2016 after William Delgado's retirement, winning the Democratic primary 53%-47% and the general election; re-elected in 2018 and subsequent cycles; appointed to seat effective July 1, 2016.