Biography

Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, was sworn into office on January 8, 2003 in the newly created 12th Legislative District. Senator Sandoval became one of four Latinos to be elected to the Illinois Senate for the 93rd General Assembly.  

Sandoval was born in The Back of the Yards, a neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side. He was a graduate of Quigley Preparatory Seminary South High School and went on to continue his studies at Loyola University in Chicago where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. 

Martin Sandoval’s commitment to public service has spanned more than fifteen years and he is an expert in procurement and environmental protection. His service in the public arena includes appointments to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and ten years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He also held leadership positions in various federal labor unions.

In early 1999, then Illinois Governor George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, in an act of bi-partisan cooperation, appointed Sandoval as the first Latino to the position of Commissioner to the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Sandoval worked tirelessly to gain the confidence of the people of Cook County to protect their precious water resources and consequently was re-elected in 2000 to remain in that countywide position. He served as Chairman on the District’s Committee on Engineering as well as the Committee on Public Health and Welfare. These committees provide policy and budgetary direction in the planning and design of the District’s construction projects as well as security of all plant facilities. 

Sandoval’s core beliefs are rooted in the community and he is actively involved in several not-for-profit organizations. He continues to sponsor science fairs and provides much needed resources to the Socorro Sandoval School Park Campus, a school named after his late sister who was a Chicago Public School Teacher. He serves on the board of Catholic Charities of Chicago, Advocate Bethany Hospital and the Save-A-Life Foundation. He also has received numerous community and public service awards for his dedication. 

Sandoval resides in the Chicago Southwest Side neighborhood of Gage Park with his wife Marina, their twins Martin Jr. and Angie and their daughter Jenny.