Miguel del Valle was sworn in as City Clerk of Chicago on December 1, 2006. On Feb. 27, 2007, he won his first municipal election, thus becoming the first Latino to hold the elected office of City Clerk of Chicago.
With a staff of approximately 100 people, the City Clerk is the second highest ranking city official and the office is the most visited in City Hall. The City Clerk's office maintains the official records of city government, including all City Council legislation. The office also distributes 1.3 million vehicle stickers, issues business and automatic amusement device licenses, and manages the city's dog registration program.
Since taking office, Clerk del Valle has brought more efficiency, visibility and access to City Clerk services for all Chicago residents. City Council records are now available online, the number of vehicle sticker distribution sites has increased, and operating processes have been modernized.
Strong Independent Leader:
For more than 30 years, Miguel del Valle has been an independent voice, tireless community advocate, and a dedicated public servant for people in Chicago and the State of Illinois. Prior to being elected City Clerk, he served as State Senator for 20 years, serving a legislative district on the near north side of Chicago. As a Senator, he fought for open and transparent government, stronger consumer protections, education funding reform, and better healthcare and social service programs.
Community Roots:
Clerk del Valle’s life is a true American success story. Fifty-four years ago, his family migrated to Chicago from Puerto Rico when he was only four years old. He attended Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente) in 1969 and went on to Northeastern Illinois University where he received a B.A. and M.A. in education and guidance.
Clerk del Valle has first-hand knowledge of working with and helping people. He served as director of Barreto Boys and Girls Club and as executive director of Association House. He also worked with the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Pilsen-Little Village Mental Health Center.
State Senator:
In 1987, del Valle was elected the first Hispanic Senator in the Illinois General Assembly where he served for 20 years. He rose through the ranks to become Illinois’ first Hispanic Assistant Majority Leader. While representing Chicago’s northwest side, he was Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the Senate Executive, Labor and Higher Education committees. He also co-chaired the Senate Select Committee on Education Funding Reform.
As an outspoken voice for increased minority representation in the legislative and judicial branches of government, his leadership in redistricting cases in 1981, 1991 and 2001 led to the creation of more fairly balanced districts on the city, county and state levels, and the election of more women, Latinos, and African Americans to the judiciary. Del Valle was the first non-African-American member of the Illinois Black Legislative Caucus, on which he served for 15 years.
Leadership and Advisory Roles:
He co-founded and co-chaired the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and founded the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees. In addition, he co-founded the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher Education and the Alliance of Latinos and Jews. He also served as Mayor Harold Washington's Chairman on a Mayoral Advisory Commission and as a board member of several not-for-profit organizations including Josephinum High School and the Spanish Coalition for Housing. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Advance Illinois and Chairs the Illinois P-20 Council. The statewide P-20 Council studies and makes recommendations on education initiatives for pre-K through grade twenty.
Clerk del Valle resides on the near northwest side. He and his wife of 39 years have four children and three grandchildren.
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Vehicle Stickers
