Delia Ramirez

Delia Ramirez is a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 4th district from 2018 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first Guatemalan American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Following her tenure in the state legislature, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois's 3rd congressional district in 2022. Throughout her political career, Ramirez has focused on issues such as housing stability, education, and social justice.

Early life and career

Delia Catalina Ramirez was born on June 2, 1983, to undocumented immigrant parents from Guatemala. She grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, an area known for its vibrant Latino community. Ramirez attended Sabin Magnet Elementary School and later graduated from St. Gregory High School in Chicago. She pursued higher education at Northeastern Illinois University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in justice studies.

Before entering the political arena, Ramirez gained extensive experience in social services and community advocacy. She held leadership positions in various nonprofit organizations, focusing on issues such as homelessness and community development. From 2004 to 2013, she served as the executive director of the Center for Changing Lives, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness. In addition, she was the president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association from 2005 to 2007 and led the Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) from 2016 to 2019. These roles helped her build a strong foundation in community organizing and advocacy, which would later inform her legislative priorities.

Ramirez's entry into electoral politics came in 2018 when she ran for the open seat in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 4th district, succeeding incumbent Cynthia Soto. Her campaign focused on several key issues, including stable housing, quality education, and public safety reforms. She was part of a group of Latino candidates supported by prominent local figures, including Cook County Commissioner Chuy García. Her campaign received endorsements from various labor unions and progressive organizations, which bolstered her visibility and support within the community.

Legislative service

Delia Ramirez was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in November 2018, winning a four-way Democratic primary with a significant share of the vote. Following her election, she was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Soto and was sworn into office on December 21, 2018. Ramirez served during the 100th General Assembly and continued her service into the 101st General Assembly, which began in January 2019. During her time in office, she was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives Progressive Caucus, aligning herself with a group focused on advancing progressive policies.

Throughout her legislative tenure, Ramirez was involved in various committees, including the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, the Appropriations - Human Services Committee, and the Housing Committee, among others. Her committee assignments allowed her to engage with a wide range of issues affecting her constituents and the state of Illinois.

Ramirez's legislative work included a notable opposition to a proposed real estate transfer tax plan by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2019. She argued for a portion of the funds generated by the tax to be allocated specifically for addressing homelessness and affordable housing. In early 2020, she chaired a task force focused on the welfare of children with incarcerated parents, highlighting her commitment to social justice issues.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramirez sponsored legislation aimed at providing relief to tenants and landlords affected by the economic downturn. Although her initial proposal for a temporary moratorium on rent and mortgage payments faced significant opposition and was ultimately defeated, she successfully advocated for an increase in the size of a relief fund for those impacted by the pandemic. Additionally, she played a key role in introducing provisions that extended Medicaid benefits to undocumented seniors, making Illinois the first state to offer such benefits regardless of immigration status.

In the 2021-2022 legislative session, Ramirez was appointed vice-chair of the newly established Housing Committee. She introduced legislation to address housing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, which culminated in the passage of the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act. This legislation included measures for administering federal funds for rent relief, sealing evictions filed during the pandemic, and extending eviction moratoriums.

Policy focus and district

Delia Ramirez represented Illinois's 4th district, which encompasses several neighborhoods in Chicago, including East Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Bucktown, West Town, Ukrainian Village, East Village, and Logan Square. Her district is characterized by a diverse population and a rich cultural heritage, which influenced her policy priorities and legislative initiatives.

Throughout her time in the Illinois House, Ramirez maintained a strong focus on issues related to housing stability, education, and social justice. Her advocacy for affordable housing and homelessness prevention was a central theme of her legislative agenda. She sought to address systemic inequities in housing access and worked to secure funding for programs aimed at supporting vulnerable populations.

In addition to her housing initiatives, Ramirez emphasized the importance of education and public safety reforms. She advocated for policies that would ensure equitable access to quality education for all students, regardless of their background. Her legislative efforts were informed by her own experiences growing up in a community facing economic and social challenges.

Ramirez's tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives concluded in 2022 when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois's 3rd congressional district. Her transition to federal office marked a continuation of her commitment to addressing the needs of her constituents and advocating for progressive policies at a national level.