Gery Chico facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gery Chico
Chico in 2018
Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education
In office June 7, 2011 – January 12, 2015
Governor	Pat Quinn
Preceded by	Jesse Ruiz
Succeeded by	James Meeks
President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners
In office October 2007 – March 2010
Appointed by	Richard Daley
Succeeded by	Bryan Traubert
President of the Chicago Board of Education
In office 1995–2001
Preceded by	D. Sharon Grant
Succeeded by	Michael Scott Sr.
Personal details
Born	(1956-08-24) August 24, 1956 (age 68) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois, Chicago (BA) Loyola University Chicago (JD)

Gery J. Chico (born August 24, 1956) is an American lawyer and public official. He has held many important roles in Chicago and Illinois government.

Chico served as the top assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley from 1992 to 1995. He then became the board president for the Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001. In 1997, he was recognized as an "Outstanding School Board President." Later, he led the Chicago Park District board (2007-2010) and the City Colleges of Chicago board (2010). In 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn named Chico Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Chico ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2011 but lost to Rahm Emanuel. He ran for mayor again in 2019. After losing in the first round, he supported Lori Lightfoot.

Early Life and Education

Gery Chico was born on August 24, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. His father was Mexican-American, and his mother was of Greek and Lithuanian background. He grew up in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood with his two younger brothers.

Chico went to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Elementary School. He played baseball there. During his first year at Thomas Kelly High School, he had a hip injury that required him to use a wheelchair.

He first studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He later transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he studied political science. He volunteered in the 11th Ward and worked for the city's Department of Planning. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1978.

From 1980 to 1987, Chico worked for the City Council Finance Committee. He also took night classes at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He earned his law degree in 1985.

Chico has three daughters from his first marriage. He is currently married to Sunny Penedo Chico, who has two children from a previous marriage. Sunny runs a company that helps with tutoring and school advice.

Legal Career and Public Service

Chico started his law career at Sidley & Austin in 1987. He also advised a real estate group. In 1991, he became a Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley. He returned to Sidley & Austin in 1995 and 1996.

In 1996, Chico joined another law firm, Altheimer & Gray. By 2000, he became the chairman of the firm. The firm closed down in 2003.

Chico also worked as a special lawyer for Arnstein & Lehr in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he started his own law firm, Chico & Nunes, which helps clients with government business.

Working for Mayor Richard M. Daley

From 1991 to 1995, Gery Chico worked for Mayor Richard M. Daley. As Deputy Chief of Staff, he helped manage a big flood in the city's freight tunnels.

Later, as Chief of Staff, he helped finish the International Terminal at O'Hare International Airport. He also helped prepare for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and build new schools. Chico also worked to add 1,000 police officers and improve neighborhoods through a program called "Neighborhoods Alive."

Leading Chicago Public Schools

In 1995, the Illinois state government gave the Mayor of Chicago more control over Chicago Public Schools. Mayor Daley asked Chico to lead the schools. Chico suggested Paul Vallas for the CEO role instead. Chico then became the chairman of the School Reform Board of Trustees, which later became the "President of the Chicago Board of Education" in 1999.

In 1997, Chico was named "Outstanding School Board President" for his work in improving education and finances. He also helped save and restore hundreds of old murals in public schools. These murals were created during the New Deal era.

Chico left his role as President of the Chicago Board of Education in 2001.

Serving the Chicago Park District

In October 2007, Mayor Daley appointed Chico as president of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners. He supported building a new soccer field in Lincoln Park. He stepped down from this role in 2010.

Reforming City Colleges of Chicago

In March 2010, Mayor Daley nominated Chico to lead the board of trustees for the City Colleges of Chicago. Chico and Chancellor Cheryl Hyman worked to improve the colleges' budget. They reduced spending and focused more on technology and training for students. They also lowered property taxes for two years. Chico resigned after eight months to run for Mayor of Chicago.

Campaigns for Mayor of Chicago

2011 Mayoral Campaign

A pre-election rally at Roberto Clemente High School.

On September 27, 2010, Gery Chico announced he would run for Mayor of Chicago in 2011. He was one of six candidates.

Rahm Emanuel was seen as the main candidate. Chico was considered his strongest challenger. Chico presented himself as a business-focused candidate with a Latino background. He highlighted his experience, especially leading the school board. He also talked about growing up on the South Side of Chicago, unlike Emanuel who grew up in the suburbs.

Chico received strong support from Chicago's Hispanic community. He even got endorsements from important leaders like Congressman Luis Gutierrez.

Chico raised almost $4.4 million for his campaign. This was the second-highest amount, but still much less than Emanuel's $15 million. Chico received money from individuals and companies. He also had the most financial support from unions, including the Chicago Firefighters Union.

Chico was supported by many established Democrats in the city. He wanted to work with the Chicago Teachers Union to make the school day and year longer. He was against having an elected school board. He promised to hire 2,000 more police officers.

Chico criticized Rahm Emanuel's plan to lower sales tax and raise service tax. He called Emanuel's proposed service tax increase the "Rahm tax."

In the election on February 22, Rahm Emanuel won with 55% of the vote. Chico came in second with 24%. Chico won in 10 of Chicago's 50 wards.

2019 Mayoral Campaign

Chico ran for mayor again in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election. He aimed to get strong support from Hispanic voters. He ended up with the second-highest support among Hispanic voters in the first round.

Chico emphasized his experience, especially his work with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges. He placed eighth out of fourteen candidates, with 6.20% of the vote. After not advancing to the runoff election, Chico endorsed Lori Lightfoot.

Later Activities

In mid-2019, Chico became the board chairman of Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago. This is a non-profit group that helps neighborhoods in need through grants and loans.

Electoral History

Here are the results from some of the elections Gery Chico has been a part of:

2004 U.S. Senate Democratic Primary

In 2004, Gery Chico ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator from Illinois. He was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy. He supported education, transportation, and judiciary issues. He was also the only candidate who supported gay marriage. Barack Obama won this election.

• Barack Obama: 52.8%
• Daniel W. Hynes: 23.7%
• M. Blair Hull: 10.8%
• Maria Pappas: 6.0%
• Gery Chico: 4.3%
• Other candidates: 2.4%

2011 Chicago Mayoral Election

Gery Chico ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2011.

• Rahm Emanuel: 55.27%
• Gery J. Chico: 23.92%
• Miguel del Valle: 9.26%
• Carol Moseley Braun: 8.99%
• Other candidates: 2.54%

2019 Chicago Mayoral Election

Gery Chico ran for Mayor of Chicago again in 2019.