Evelyn Sanguinetti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evelyn Sanguinetti
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Sanguinetti in 2015
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| 47th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 12, 2015 – January 14, 2019 |
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| Governor | Bruce Rauner |
| Preceded by | Sheila Simon |
| Succeeded by | Juliana Stratton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Evelyn Pacino
November 12, 1970 Hialeah, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Raymond Sanguinetti |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Florida International University (BM) John Marshall Law School, Chicago (JD) |
Evelyn Sanguinetti (born November 12, 1970) is an American lawyer and politician. She served as the 47th lieutenant governor of Illinois from 2015 to 2019. She worked alongside Governor Bruce Rauner.
Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, Sanguinetti was a member of the Wheaton City Council. She later ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress in 2020 but decided to stop her campaign. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Bruce Rauner were the last Republican officials to hold a statewide office in Illinois.
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Evelyn Sanguinetti's Background
Evelyn Sanguinetti was born in Hialeah, Florida, near Miami. Her mother was from Cuba, and her father was from Ecuador. Sanguinetti's mother was a political refugee who left Cuba in the early 1960s. Her father moved to South Florida in 1966.
They married in 1970, and Evelyn was born later that year. When she was elected, Sanguinetti became the first Hispanic Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. She was also the first Latina Lieutenant Governor in the entire United States.
Early Life and Education
Evelyn Sanguinetti grew up in a very poor family. Her family sometimes needed government help for food and housing. Her first language was Spanish.
School was tough for Sanguinetti at first. But she found her passion in music, especially playing the piano. She got a big chance when she was accepted into the New World School of the Arts in Miami. This special school helped her improve her music skills. She focused on playing piano and singing.
Sanguinetti then went to Florida International University (FIU). She earned a bachelor's degree in music. She tried to become a professional musician but decided to change her career path. She chose to study law instead.
She attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago. While studying law, Sanguinetti helped people who faced unfair housing treatment. She even won a case that set a new rule against discrimination based on how people earn money.
Professional Career
Evelyn Sanguinetti finished law school in 1998. She then worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Illinois. This means she was a lawyer who helped the state government.
After leaving that job in 2003, Sanguinetti worked at private law firms in Chicago. She represented police officers and other first responders. She also became a law professor at John Marshall Law School.
Public Service Journey
In 2007, Evelyn Sanguinetti was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is a condition that affects how the body moves. After an accident, she had trouble walking for a while.
By 2011, she was able to walk better. She decided to run for a position on the Wheaton City Council. She wanted to improve city sidewalks and other public areas. Sanguinetti won the election and served on the City Council until 2014. During her time, she helped bring new investments to the city's public services.
In 2013, she was chosen to be the running mate for Bruce Rauner. He was the Republican candidate for Governor. In November 2014, Rauner and Sanguinetti won the election. This made Evelyn Sanguinetti the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
Improving Government Services
As Lieutenant Governor, Sanguinetti led a special group called the Illinois Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. This group looked for ways to make local governments work better. They also wanted to find ways to save money.
Many of their ideas became new laws. For example, some laws made it easier to combine smaller government groups. Other laws helped understand the costs of new rules for local governments.
Protecting Illinois Waterways
Sanguinetti also led councils focused on Illinois' major rivers. She worked to manage and remove Asian Carp. These are fish that are not native to the area and can harm local fish populations. She worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their goal was to keep these fish out of Lake Michigan.
Supporting Military Bases
Illinois has important military bases like Scott Air Force Base and Naval Station Great Lakes. Sanguinetti chaired a committee that supported these bases. This committee helps coordinate state activities related to military bases. It also works to keep the economy strong around these areas.
Helping Small Businesses
Sanguinetti also worked to bring back the Angel Investment Tax Credit in Illinois. This credit helps small businesses, especially those owned by minorities. She worked with lawmakers from different political parties to pass this bill. It helps new businesses get the money they need to grow.
After Public Office
After leaving her role as Lieutenant Governor, Sanguinetti briefly ran for Congress in 2020. Later, she became the executive director of Hope Fair Housing. This organization helps ensure everyone has fair access to housing. In 2022, she left this position to run for DuPage County Clerk.
Personal Life
Evelyn Sanguinetti is married and has three children. She lives in Wheaton, Illinois.
See also
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
- List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
