Gery Chico
Gery J. Chico (/ˈɡɛri ˈtʃiːkoʊ/ GERR-ee CHEE-koh; born August 24, 1956) is an American politician, Chicago lawyer, public official and former Democratic primary candidate for United States Senate.
Gery Chico | |
|---|---|
Chico in 2018 | |
| Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education | |
| In office June 7, 2011 – January 12, 2015 | |
| Governor | Pat Quinn |
| Preceded by | Jesse Ruiz |
| Succeeded by | James Meeks |
| President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners | |
| In office October 2007 – March 2010 | |
| Appointed by | Richard Daley |
| Succeeded by | Bryan Traubert |
| President of the Chicago Board of EducationA | |
| In office 1995–2001 | |
| Preceded by | D. Sharon Grant |
| Succeeded by | Michael Scott Sr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1956 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois, Chicago (BA) Loyola University Chicago (JD) |
Chico served as the Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley from 1992 to 1995, and board president of the Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001. He was named Outstanding School Board President by the Illinois State Board of Education in 1997. From 2007 to 2010, he was board president of the Chicago Park District, and in 2010 he was board president of the City Colleges of Chicago. On June 7, 2011, Chico was named Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Chico ran for Mayor of Chicago in the 2011 election, but was defeated by Rahm Emanuel. In late 2018, Chico declared a second bid for mayor in the 2019 election. After losing in the first round, he endorsed Lori Lightfoot.