Senior Policy Advisor, Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Luis V. Gutiérrez, a former Illinois Congressman, is a strong advocate for Puerto Rican independence. In 1992, he became the first Latino from the Midwest elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served Illinois’ Fourth District for 26 years. Gutiérrez was known for his dedication to immigration reform and was recognized as a leading voice on immigration issues.
Before Congress, he worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and ran for Democratic Committeeman in Chicago’s 32nd Ward. He also played a pivotal role in passing the 1986 gay rights ordinance, which aimed to ban discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Throughout his tenure, Gutiérrez championed causes vital to Latino and immigrant communities.
Luis V. Gutierrez is the Senior Policy Advisor for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC). The PRCC’s policy priorities include advocating for Puerto Rico’s self-determination, promoting the Food Sovereignty Initiative, and opposing local laws such as Act 22/60, which are contributing to gentrification and the displacement of Puerto Ricans.
