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After serving in Congress since 1993, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez announced Tuesday he is not seeking re-election in 2018. He was Illinois’ first latino U.S. representative in the C-shaped 4th District, a contentious map drawn to bring together Hispanic support and ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Before Congress, Gutierrez served on the Chicago City Council for seven years. Here are key moments in the Chicago native’s political rise and career.

1953

Born Dec. 10 in Chicago and raised in Lincoln Park, the first of two children. His father drove a taxi and his mother worked in a factory.

1968

The family moves back to Puerto Rico after Gutierrez’s first year of high school. He begins his college education at the University of Puerto Rico.

1970

Transfers to Northeastern Illinois University.

1974

Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in English. Returns to Puerto Rico and marries while starting to teach elementary school. He now has two daughters.

Gutierrez and Soraida, now his wife, whlie both were students at Northeastern Illinois University.

1978

Moves back to Chicago and works as a social worker with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

1983

Runs unsuccessfully for Democratic committeeman in 32nd Ward. Later is hired by Mayor Harold Washington’s office to work on infrastructure.

Gutierrez whlle running for committeeman. (baiduhai)

1986

After moving to the 26th Ward and building a political organization, Gutierrez runs for City Council backed by Washington. He wins a close and controversial race, giving Washington control of the council.

Gutierrez after state appeals court confirmed his election as Chicago alderman. (baiduhai)

1989

Gutierrez controversially backs Richard M. Daley in run for mayor.

Gutierrez and Daley in 1989. (baiduhai)

1991

After a contentious redistricting battle that includes an Illinois Supreme Court ruling, newly drawn congressional districts create the C-shaped 4th District that weaves together Latino voters.


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Illinois 4th

Congressional District

90

Chicago

294

290

57

COOK CO.

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Illinois 4th

Congressional District

90

Chicago

294

290

57

COOK CO.

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90

Illinois 4th

Congressional District

Chicago

290

294

57

COOK CO.

1992

Gutierrez wins the U.S. House seat, the first Hispanic from the Midwest elected to Congress.

Gutierrez in Washington, D.C., in 1993. (AP)

1998

After up-and-down rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court rules the 4th District can stand, signaling a willingness to accept some districts carefully drawn to favor minorities.

2001

First elected official to sponsor the DREAM Act for immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally with their parents.

2008

Tribune’s “Neighborhoods for Sale” investigation details how Gutierrez received a $200,000 loan from a developer and wrote a letter to Mayor Richard M. Daley on U.S House stationery lobbying for the developer’s project. Gutierrez says the loan and the lobbying were unconnected. The developer was later convicted of bribing a West Side alderman.

2009

Gutierrez supports the election of Barack Obama as president but quickly becomes an Obama antagonist by complaining that immigration reform is on the back burner. Obama will fully embrace the issue later in his presidency.

Gutierrez at an immigration rally in 2009. (AP)

2011

Gutierrez endorses Gery Chico for mayor, but Rahm Emanuel prevails.

2015

Gutierrez serves as campaign co-chair for Emanuel’s re-election bid, opposing Latino candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who mounts a strong challenge but falls short in a runoff.

Gutierrez campaigns for Mayor Rahm Emanuel in late 2014. (Armando Sanchez/baiduhai)

2017

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A day after filing paperwork for the March 20 primary, Gutierrez announces he won’t seek re-election in 2018.

Sources: U.S. Government Publishing Office, U.S. House of Representatives, baiduhai reporting

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