State Senator Martin Sandoval of the 11th district is a long-time advocate for education, public safety and the Hispanic community.
Sandoval was born in The Back of the Yards, a neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side. He graduated from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary South High School and went on to Loyola University, Chicago where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology.
He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2003, he has supported important causes such as increased funding for the detection of breast cancer, increased funding for local schools, and he has fought to protect immigrant communities by supporting the Trust Act and other important measures.
Sandoval is the son of immigrants so he knows the struggle faced in these communities, particularly in today’s political climate. In the next four years, Sandoval plans to continue to focus on making healthcare more affordable, protecting the human rights of immigrants, increasing public safety and creating more jobs.
As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sandoval provided leadership for the improvement of Illinois’ multi-faceted transportation system in coordination with other state and federal leaders.
Sandoval began his public service career with appointed stints at the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and 10 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He also served as a leader in various labor unions.
In 1999, Sandoval was appointed as Commissioner to the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago through Bipartisan appointment between then-Republican Gov. George Ryan and then-Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Prior to his career in elected office, Sandoval successfully pushed for the conversion of abandoned property on the Southwest Side to a beautiful park and school space. The land is now the site of a public park and Socorro Sandoval Elementary, which is named for Sandoval’s late sister who was a public school teacher when she was tragically killed in an accident while leaving the school.
Sandoval is known for giving time to visitors at the capitol and hearing all sides of the issues. He frequently hosts representatives of various advocacy groups from across the state at his Capitol and district offices.
He is the father of three and lives on the South Side with his wife Marina.