Iris Martinez

Iris Martinez
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 20th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2003 (2003-Jan-08)
Preceded by Peter Roskam (renumbered)
Personal details
Born (1956-02-25) February 25, 1956
West Town, Chicago, Illinois
Political party Democratic
Children One daughter
Residence Chicago, Illinois
Alma mater Northeastern Illinois University
Profession Legislator

Iris Y. Martinez (born February 25, 1956) is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 20th district since 2003. She is also the Assistant Majority Leader in the State Senate.

Early life

Martinez is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Senate career

Senator Martinez is the first Latina woman to be elected to the Illinois State Senate. In her first year in Springfield, Martinez ensured that community agencies like the Children’s Place, an agency that works with children and families affected by HIV and AIDS, and Concordia Avondale Community Center, which provides daycare, after-school programs and a center for seniors, received state funding to continue their programming. Martinez was particularly concerned with issues surrounding women’s health. She passed legislation that obligates health insurance companies to provide women with contraceptive coverage. In recognition of this legislation, Martinez received the Profile in Courage Award from Planned Parenthood. Martinez targeted Illinois drivers with out of state reckless homicide and DUI convictions with the passage of a new law. This law ensures that convictions received in other states are included in Illinois driving records and subject to state laws regarding further prosecution of these offences. To help protect consumers from becoming victims of identity theft, Martinez helped pass a law that requires all insurance cards be issued without a Social Security number.

In 2004, Martinez was awarded the Hillary Clinton Leadership Award presented to an elected official by the Illinois Democratic Women’s organization. Martinez is the Chairperson of the Pensions Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Housing and Community Affairs Committee. She serves as a member of three additional committees: Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Insurance.

In 2006, Martinez endorsed judicial candidate Ramon Ocasio III over the Cook County Democratic Party endorsed candidate, Ed Lechowicz, the son of former State Senator Ted Lechowicz, saying she did so to increase the number of Latinos on the Cook County judiciary.[1]

2008 re-election campaign

In 2008, Martinez faced a primary challenge from state representative Richard T. Bradley, who represented half of her district in the House. Bradley had originally announced his intention to seek re-election to the House but decided instead to challenge Martinez when Deb Mell announced her candidacy for his House seat. Martinez was re-elected, defeating Bradley and another candidate.

References

  1. ↑ "The More Things Change". Chicago Reader. 2006-03-17. External link in |work= (help)
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