Biography:

Aaron Ortiz is an educator and college counselor at Back of the Yards High School, a Chicago Public School. As the first in his family to attend college, he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning. It was during Aaron’s time in college that he began to think about how important government and community development was in his community. A son of immigrants from Durango, Mexico, Aaron represents the makeup of the 1st district. Aaron is a parishioner of St. Clare of Montefalco Church. He is a homeowner and lifelong resident of Gage Park. He attended Nightingale Elementary and Brother Rice High School. His experiences as a young student have guided him in his work helping students at Back of the Yards high school think about their post-graduation future. Aaron is a proud member of the Chicago Teachers Union and high school soccer coach. He serves on the Local School Council for the Back of the Yards High School.