Evelyn Sanguinetti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evelyn Sanguinetti
|
|
|---|---|
Sanguinetti in 2015
|
|
| 47th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 12, 2015 – January 14, 2019 |
|
| 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 politician and lawyer. She served as the 47th lieutenant governor of Illinois from 2015 to 2019. She worked alongside Governor Bruce Rauner. Sanguinetti is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, she was on the Wheaton City Council. As of 2025, she and Rauner are the last Republicans to win a statewide election in Illinois.
Contents
About Evelyn Sanguinetti
Evelyn Sanguinetti was born in Hialeah, Florida, near Miami. Her mother was a Cuban political refugee. She escaped Cuba in the early 1960s. Her father was an Ecuadorian immigrant. He moved to South Florida in 1966. Evelyn was born in 1970 when her mother was 15. When she was elected, Sanguinetti became the first Hispanic Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. She was also the first Latina Lieutenant Governor in the United States.
Her Early Life and Education
Evelyn grew up in a family that faced extreme poverty. They often needed government help for food and housing. Her first language was Spanish. School was hard for her 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. There, she improved her piano and singing skills.
Evelyn then went to Florida International University (FIU). She earned a bachelor's degree in music. She wanted to be a musician. However, she decided to study law instead. She attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago. While in law school, she helped people who faced housing discrimination. She even won an important case that helped protect people from unfair housing practices.
Her Professional Career
After graduating from law school in 1998, Sanguinetti became an Assistant Attorney General. She worked for the state's top lawyer, Jim Ryan. She helped the state with legal matters.
In 2003, she left the Attorney General's office. She then worked at private law firms in Chicago. She represented police officers and other first responders. Later, she also became a law professor at John Marshall Law School.
Her Public Service Work
In 2007, Evelyn Sanguinetti was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. After an accident, she had trouble walking. By 2011, she had regained her ability to walk well. This experience inspired her to help her community.
Serving on the Wheaton City Council
In 2011, Sanguinetti decided to run for a spot on the Wheaton City Council. She promised to improve sidewalks and city services. She won the election and served on the council until 2014. During her time, the city invested more in its roads and buildings. She also helped the city manage its money wisely.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In October 2013, Evelyn Sanguinetti was chosen to be the running mate for Bruce Rauner. He was a Republican candidate for Governor. They won the Republican primary election in February 2014. In November 2014, Rauner and Sanguinetti defeated the Democratic team. This made Evelyn Sanguinetti the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
Improving Government Services
As Lieutenant Governor, Sanguinetti led a special group. It was 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 reduce rules that cost cities money without providing funds. Many of their ideas became new laws. These laws helped combine some local government groups. They also helped save money for towns and cities.
Protecting Illinois Waterways
Sanguinetti also led councils that focused on Illinois' major rivers. These included the Mississippi, Illinois, Wabash, and Ohio Rivers. She worked to manage and remove Asian Carp. These are an invasive fish species that can harm local ecosystems. She worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their goal was to keep these fish out of Lake Michigan.
Supporting Military Families
Illinois has important military bases. These include Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal, and Naval Station Great Lakes. Sanguinetti chaired a committee that supported these bases. This committee helped coordinate state activities related to military bases. She worked to make sure these bases continued to bring economic benefits to Illinois.
Helping Small Businesses
Sanguinetti led efforts to bring back the Angel Investment Tax Credit in Illinois. This program helps small businesses, especially those owned by minorities. She worked with lawmakers from both parties on this important bill. She also chaired the Governor's Rural Affairs Council.
After Public Office
In 2020, after leaving her role as Lieutenant Governor, Sanguinetti became the executive director of Hope Fair Housing. This organization helps ensure fair housing for everyone. In 2022, she left this position to run for DuPage County Clerk.
Her 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
