Edgar Villanueva (D-IL-II)

[Dak]

 

Name: Edgar Villanueva

Party: Democratic

Seat: Illinois, Class II

Avatar: Mauricio Vila Dosal

Major Caucus: Progressive Democrats

Gender: Male (0 points)

Sexuality: Openly Homosexual, unmarried (25 points)

Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino (5 points)

Religious Affiliation: Atheist (15 points)

Date of Birth: November 19th, 1969 [age = 47] (5 points)

Place of Birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Place of Residence: Bloomington, Illinois

Family History: Child of Immigrants (15 points)

 

Educational History

B.A. in Sociology, Colegio Universitario de San Juan, 1987-1991 (0 points)

M.A. in Public Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003-2005 (20 points)

 

Occupational History

Social Worker and Community Advocate, Esperanza Comunitaria, 1991-2002 (5 points)

Social Worker, Illinois Department of Family and Child Services, 2002-2006 (5 points)

Senator, Illinois State Senate, 2006-2014 (2 terms = 4 points)

U.S. Senator from Illinois, 2014-present

 

BIOGRAPHY

Edgar Villanueva (born November 19th, 1969) is an American politician serving as the junior U.S. Senator from Illinois. Villanueva was first elected to the Senate in 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Villanueva previously represented Illinois's 46th State Senate district from 2006 to 2014. Before entering politics, Villanueva was a social worker and community advocate in both Puerto Rico and Illinois.

 

On November 4th, 2014, Villanueva defeated fellow state senator Jim Oberweis in the general election to become the next senator from Illinois. This triumph marked a turning point in Villanueva's political career as he succeeded long-time Senate Democrat Dick Durbin, who had earlier announced that he would not seek re-election in early 2013. Upon his inauguration, Villanueva became the first Latino to represent Illinois in the United States Senate.

 

Early Life

Villanueva was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Maria and Javier Villanueva. His mother worked as a domestic worker, cleaning homes and apartments in the richer "barrios," while his father was a construction worker who primarily focused on roofing and home improvement. Growing up in a small, cramped apartment in a working-class neighborhood with his five siblings, Villanueva experienced firsthand the intense and brutal challenges of poverty. "My mother and father would not come home until around 7 o'clock in the evening. As the oldest child, I was responsible for making sure that all my brothers and sisters made it home from school and that they had at least a little snack in their stomachs before my parents came home. Some nights, we would not sit down to eat dinner until 10."

 

In a household where every penny mattered, Villanueva stated that he learned the importance of stretching resources and making do with what little they had. Nevertheless, he states that his parents' sacrifices created a strong foundation for himself and his siblings, teaching them the true meaning of resilience and solidarity. From a young age, Edgar often accompanied his parents as they volunteered at local soup kitchens or organized community clean-up efforts, providing him perspective on the inequality and injustice that marred Puerto Rican society. These experiences left an indelible mark on him, igniting his "passion for social justice and a desire to create societal change."

 

Throughout his teenage years, Villanueva found himself deeply connected to his Puerto Rican heritage, embracing the traditions, language, and customs of Puerto Rico with pride. He found tranquility and inspiration in the beauty of the island's natural landscapes and spent many hours with his friends exploring its' lush rainforests, sparkling beaches, and historic landmarks.

 

Villanueva is openly homosexual. He stated that he came out to his parents when he was 14 years old and the experience was "extremely daunting." Villanueva's parents were raised in the Roman Catholic faith, so he was "extremely worried" about what their response was going to be. While his parents did not immediately welcome the news, Villanueva recounts that his parents "soon realized that they were never going to love me less, no matter what happened."

 

Educational Journey

Villanueva enrolled at Colegio Universitario de San Juan in the fall of 1987. He juggled his studies with part-time work, taking on a serving job at a nearby restaurant to help support his family and pay for his tuition fees.

 

At Colegio Universitario de San Juan, Villanueva claims the college "became a kind of sanctuary where [he] could nurture his intellect, explore [his] interests, and cultivate [his] passion for social change through his coursework in Sociology." During his undergraduate journey, Villanueva began to develop his leadership skills and hone his understanding of societal issues. He immersed himself in extracurricular activities when he had the time, joining student organizations dedicated to community service, activism, and advocacy. During his junior year of college, he was elected by the student body to serve on the university's Board of Directors as an advisory member. Additionally, he organized a 500-student strong community clean-up effort across impoverished neighborhoods in San Juan. In his senior year, Villanueva was elected as class president and was a part of a successful organized effort to pressure university administration into lowering student tuition for native Puerto Ricans. Through his service in these capacities, Villanueva gained hands-on experience working with marginalized communities and addressing pressing social issues, fueling his desire to make a larger impact.

 

Villanueva graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. He maintained a 3.96 GPA during his undergraduate program.

 

Career

Upon graduating, Villanueva was immediately hired as a social worker by Esperanza Comunitaria (Community Hope), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs to underserved communities in Puerto Rico.

 

Villanueva "dove headfirst" into the work of building relationships with community members, listening to the needs of residents, and helping to mobilize resources to address pressing issues. He quickly became a trusted leader within the organization, known for his empathy, determination, and ability to inspire others. Using his own background and life story as motivation, Villanueva found a community of like-minded individuals who shared his vision for a more just and equitable society.

 

Under Esperanza Comunitaria, Villanueva launched the "Emprende Tu Futuro (Launch Your Future)" initiative in 1997. This initiative was designed to address the economic challenges faced by individuals within underserved communities across Puerto Rico by empowering participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to start their own small businesses and become entrepreneurs. Villanueva and his team organized a series of interactive workshops focused on entrepreneurship fundamentals that helped teach participants practical skills and provided guidance on how to turn their business ideas into reality. Emprende Tu Futuro paired participants with experienced mentors from local business communities and provided them with one-on-one guidance, advice, and support to help them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. Additionally, Villanueva worked closely with local financial institutions to secure microloans and other financial resources for program participants. By providing this access to capital, Emprende Tu Futuro enabled participants to launch and expand their businesses.

 

Through Villanueva's work with Esperanza Comunitaria, he states he "discovered [his] voice as an advocate, a leader, and a champion for the rights of the most vulnerable." Villanueva resigned from his position at Esperanza Comunitaria in 2002 to move to the mainland United States.

 

Move to the Mainland

Villanueva felt compelled to broaden his impact and explore new avenues for social change, making the bold decision to relocate to Illinois where he accepted a position with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) as a social worker in fall 2002. His uncle, Chuy, moved to Bloomington, Illinois in 1995, so he stayed with him until he was able to make his own accommodations.

 

The move to Illinois marked a significant turning point in Villanueva's journey as he transitioned from grassroots community organizing to direct service provision within the public sector. Inspired by his desire to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families, Villanueva embraced this new chapter with enthusiasm and determination.

 

As a social worker with DCFS, Villanueva's work centered around advocating for the well-being and safety of children who were at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. He worked closely with families facing a myriad of challenges, providing support, resources, and interventions aimed at strengthening family functioning and promoting positive outcomes for children. However, Villanueva also encountered the complex and often heartbreaking realities faced by many families caught in the grip of poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other systemic issues. He remained steadfast in his commitment to empowering families to overcome adversity and build brighter futures for themselves and their children.

 

While working with the Department of Child and Family Services, Villanueva attained his Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005.

 

Villanueva worked with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services for 4 years, resigning from his position in 2006 to seek an open seat in the Illinois State Senate.

 

Political Career

Villanueva's journey took a surprising turn when he decided to transition from social work to politics, setting his sights on the 46th District seat in the Illinois State Senate. Motivated by a deep-seated desire to effect systemic change and amplify the voices of marginalized communities, Villanueva launched his campaign with a clear vision and passion for advocacy.

 

Villanueva crisscrossed the 46th District, connecting with voters, listening to their concerns, and articulating a platform grounded in the principles of equity, justice, and opportunity for all. His candidacy resonated deeply with voters who were hungry for authentic leadership and a fresh perspective in government. His grassroots campaign, fueled by the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers and supporters, gained momentum as he garnered endorsements from community leaders, activists, grassroots organizations, and then-Governor Rod Blagojevich.

 

In November 2006, the people of the 46th District overwhelmingly elected Villanueva over his Republican opponent to represent them in the State Senate. Albeit by a closer margin, Villanueva was re-elected to his seat in 2010.

 

As a State Senator, Villanueva championed legislation to address critical issues in Illinois such as affordable housing, healthcare access, education equity, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection. Villanueva was a tireless advocate to abolish the death penalty in Illinois in 2011.

 

During his time in the Illinois State Senate, Villanueva described himself as a "staunch advocate" for workers' rights and sponsored legislation to strengthen labor protections, improve workplace safety, and raise the minimum wage in Illinois. He supported expanding paid sick leave, protecting against wage theft, and ensuring the fair treatment of immigrant workers. He supported improving healthcare coverage by reducing healthcare costs and addressing healthcare disparities by expanding Medicaid eligibility, regulating prescription drug prices, and investing in community health centers serving underserved populations. Villanueva has retained many of these positions during his tenure as a United States Senator.

 

Time in the U.S. Senate

In 2013, long-time U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced his decision not to seek re-election in 2014, opening the door for Villanueva to make the leap to the national stage.

 

Encouraged by supporters and inspired by the opportunity to widen the scope of his impact, Villanueva launched his campaign for the United States Senate with a bold vision and a steadfast commitment to representing the voices of everyday Illinoisans in the fall of 2013.

 

Villanueva's campaign struck a chord with Illinoisans as they were drawn to his authenticity, integrity, track record, and dedication to social justice. Villanueva's campaign embraced a message of unity, compassion, and opportunity; it resounded with people from all walks of life, galvanizing a diverse coalition of supporters behind his candidacy.

 

In November 2014, Villanueva's grassroots movement culminated in a historic victory as he was comfortably elected over Republican Jim Oberweis to represent the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. His election marked a milestone in Illinois history, making him the first Latino senator to represent the state in Congress.

 

As a U.S. Senator, Villanueva has focused on a wide range of issues impacting the lives of Americans, from healthcare and education to immigration reform and environmental protection. He has advanced policies that have "promoted equity, opportunity, and dignity for all, never losing sight of the values that unite [all Americans]."

 

Villanueva supports raising the federal minimum wage, strengthening federal gun safety laws, expanding funding to education, protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ Americans, and has hinted potential support of economic reparations for African Americans with ancestral ties to the American chattel slavery system.

 

KEY VOTES

114th Congress - Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015: AYE

 

Points = 99

Edited March 30 by Dak
avatar change

[Mikey]

Welcome back!

[jakeakins]

APPROVED

[OA]

as a person from PR I love this!

[Starnes]

Welcome back!

[Bolster]

Welcome back and welcome to the caucus 

[Dak]

UPDATE: Changing my avatar to Mauricio Vila Dosal, the current Governor of Yucatán. I forgot that Pena Nieto would be president at this time and Vila Dosal, I believe, matches Edgar's archetype a bit more.