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 politician and lawyer from Illinois. He has held many important jobs in Chicago and for the state of Illinois. He also ran for U.S. Senator and for Mayor of Chicago.

Chico worked closely with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, serving as his Chief of Staff from 1992 to 1995. A Chief of Staff is a top advisor who helps a leader manage their team and projects. After that, he became the president of the Chicago Public Schools board, where he served until 2001. For his work, the Illinois State Board of Education named him Outstanding School Board President in 1997.

Over the years, Chico has led other important groups, including the Chicago Park District and the City Colleges of Chicago. In 2011, he was chosen to be the Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, which oversees all public schools in the state.

Chico has run for Mayor of Chicago twice. In the 2011 election, he lost to Rahm Emanuel. He ran again in the 2019 election and later supported Lori Lightfoot, who won.

Early Life and School

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

Chico went to a local Catholic elementary school and later attended Thomas Kelly High School. A hip injury during his first year of high school meant he had to use a wheelchair for a while.

For college, he first studied to be a doctor at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He then transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago to study political science. During his senior year, he started working for the city's Department of Planning. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1978. While working for the city, he attended law school at night and earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1985.

Career in Law and Government

Working for the City

In 1991, Chico became a Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley. One of his first big challenges was helping to manage the cleanup of a major flood in Chicago's downtown freight tunnels.

Mayor Daley later promoted him to Chief of Staff, a job he held from 1992 to 1995. In this role, he helped manage big projects like the new International Terminal at O'Hare International Airport and the city's preparations for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also worked with Budget Director Paul Vallas to add 1,000 more police officers to the city's force.

Leading Chicago's Schools

In 1995, Mayor Daley asked Chico to lead the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Chico became the president of the school board. He and CPS CEO Paul Vallas worked to improve the school system.

During his time as board president, Chico also led an effort to save and restore hundreds of murals in public schools. These artworks were created during the New Deal era but had been covered up over time.

Chico left his position at the school board in 2001. He was followed by Michael W. Scott.

Running for Office

2004 U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2004, Chico ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate. He was one of several Democrats who wanted the job. He supported ideas like universal healthcare and stem cell research. He was the only candidate in the race, from either party, who supported gay marriage at the time. Barack Obama, who was a state senator then, won the Democratic nomination and later the election.

2011 Campaign for Mayor of Chicago

Chico (second from left) at a mayoral debate in 2011.

A rally for Chico's mayoral campaign at Roberto Clemente High School.

When Mayor Daley announced he would not run for reelection in 2011, Chico decided to run for mayor. He was seen as a strong candidate who could challenge the frontrunner, Rahm Emanuel.

Chico talked about his experience working for the city and leading the school board. He also highlighted his background as the son of an immigrant father who grew up on Chicago's South Side. He received a lot of support from Chicago's Hispanic community.

In the end, Rahm Emanuel won the election with over 55% of the vote. Chico came in second place with about 24% of the vote.

2019 Campaign for Mayor of Chicago

Chico (second from left) with other mayoral candidates at a forum in 2019.

Chico ran for mayor again in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election. He once again focused on his experience in city government and education.

The election had many candidates, and no one won a majority in the first round of voting. Chico finished in eighth place. After he was out of the race, he endorsed Lori Lightfoot, who went on to win the final runoff election.

More Public Service

Chicago Park District and City Colleges

In 2007, Mayor Daley appointed Chico as president of the Chicago Park District board. He held this position until 2010.

In 2010, Daley also named him chairman of the board for the City Colleges of Chicago. Chico and Chancellor Cheryl Hyman worked to reform the college system's budget and focus more money on technology and student training. He left this role after eight months to run for mayor.

Illinois State Board of Education

From 2011 to 2015, Chico served as the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. He was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn. This board is in charge of setting policies for public schools across the entire state of Illinois.

Recent Work

In 2019, Chico became the board chairman of a nonprofit group called Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago. The organization helps support neighborhoods in need by providing money and assistance to community groups.

Electoral history

External links

• Chico & Nunes, P.C.
• Gery Chico for Mayor