José Huizar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Huizar
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Huizar in 2013
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| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 14th district | |
| In office December 1, 2005 – October 15, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Antonio Villaraigosa |
| Succeeded by | Kevin de León |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 10, 1968 Zacatecas, Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Richelle Ríos |
| Children | 4 |
| Residences | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley (BA) University of California, Los Angeles (JD) Princeton University (MPP) |
| Information about his public service | |
| Criminal status |
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| Conviction(s) | received a sentence |
| Criminal charge | faced serious legal issues related to his public service |
José Luis Huizar (born September 10, 1968) is a Mexican-American former politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council from 2005 to 2020.
Huizar was first elected on November 8, 2005. He filled the seat left by Antonio Villaraigosa, who became the mayor of Los Angeles. Huizar was re-elected several times, serving full terms in 2007, 2011, and 2015. His last term was extended due to new city laws.
In 2020, Huizar was suspended from the council due to legal issues. In 2023, he accepted responsibility for certain actions. He received a sentence in January 2024.
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Early Life and Education
José Huizar was born in a village called Los Morales in Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. His father, Simón Huizar, worked as a farm worker and later as a machinist. His mother, Isidra Serrano, worked in a meatpacking plant.
When he was three years old, Huizar moved with his parents to the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles. He attended Salesian High School. After high school, he went to the University of California, Berkeley. He also earned a master's degree in Public Affairs and Urban Planning from Princeton University. Later, he received a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. In 2004, he made history as the first Latino to serve on the Princeton Board of Trustees.
Public Service Career
Serving on the School Board
José Huizar began his public service career on the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He won a seat on April 10, 2001, with strong support from Mayor Richard Riordan. He defeated his opponent, Ralph Cole, by a large margin. Huizar served as a member and president of the school board until 2005.
Los Angeles City Council (2005–2020)
In November 2005, Huizar ran for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. He won against Nick Pacheco for the position that Antonio Villaraigosa had left. Huizar was re-elected for full four-year terms in 2007 and 2011. On March 3, 2015, he was re-elected for a fourth time, defeating former Supervisor Gloria Molina and other candidates. He was the first Mexican immigrant to be elected to the L.A. City Council.
In November 2018, the FBI searched Huizar's City Hall office and his home. They took computers and files, but did not say why. Soon after, on November 15, 2018, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson removed Huizar from all his committee roles.
On May 28, 2020, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Nury Martinez asked Huizar to step down. On June 23, federal agents arrested him, and the City Council suspended him from office.
Important Committees
During his time on the City Council, Huizar served on several important committees:
- Planning & Land Use Management (previously)
- Rules, Elections & Intergovernmental Relations (previously vice chair)
- Energy & Environment (chair from 2012–13)
- Economic Development (previously)
Protecting the Environment
From 2012 to 2013, Huizar led the Los Angeles City Council's Energy & Environment Committee. Under his leadership, the committee worked to ban single-use plastic bags. They also worked to improve recycling efforts in businesses and apartment buildings. In 2013, Huizar received awards for his environmental work. These included the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters Environmental Champion Award and the Sierra Club's Political Leadership award. He also worked to protect open spaces and improve parks, especially in areas of Los Angeles that needed more green spaces.
Making Streets Safer for Everyone
Huizar supported the idea of "complete streets" in city planning. This means designing streets to be safe for people walking, biking, driving, and using public transportation. In 2012, Huizar and then-Councilmember Jan Perry proposed a plan to create "parklets" in Los Angeles. Parklets are small public spaces that replace a few parking spots. They help encourage walking and provide much-needed open space. In 2013, the first parklets were built in Highland Park, El Sereno, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Huizar also worked to add more bike lanes in Los Angeles, including a green bike lane Downtown. The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition recognized him in late 2013 for his efforts to create complete streets. In 2010 and 2011, Huizar helped install the city's first bike corral on York Boulevard in Highland Park.
Improving Transportation
In 2009, Huizar was appointed to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors. While on the board, he pushed for longer Metro hours. He also focused on ensuring fair treatment for everyone in transportation planning. He served on the board until 2013.
Protecting Historic Places
In 2011, Huizar proposed a plan to help extend the Mills Act. This act encourages historic preservation by offering lower property taxes to people who restore old buildings. In 2010, Huizar also helped expand the Highland Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, which protects historic areas.
Huizar also created the Bringing Back Broadway initiative in 2008. This was a ten-year plan to bring new life to the historic Broadway Theater District in Downtown Los Angeles. He also supported bringing back the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine named José Huizar one of the "100 most influential Hispanics" in the United States. The Los Angeles Business Journal also recognized him as one of the 25 people in the Los Angeles area with the potential to shape lives. In 2013, he received the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters Environmental Champion Award and the Sierra Club's Political Leadership award for his work.
Personal Life
José Huizar married Richelle Ríos in 1999. They have four children together. Huizar became a U.S. citizen while he was in college.
