Frank J. Aguilar is a politician currently serving as the member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 16th district. Currently Democrat, he previously was a member of the Republican Party, under which he served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 24th district from 2002 to 2004.

Frank Aguilar
Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
from the 16th district
Assumed office
April 20, 2020
Preceded byJeff Tobolski
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 24th district
In office
January 2003 – January 2005
Preceded byDonne Trotter (redistricted)
Succeeded byMichelle Chavez
Personal details
Born (1960-11-26) November 26, 1960 (age 64)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (before 2020)
Democratic (2020–present)
Education

Career

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Aguilar served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 24th district from 2002 to 2004, becoming the only Hispanic American of his party in the General Assembly. Aguilar was defeated in 2004 by Democrat Michelle Chavez in a race that was thought to be non-competitive.[1] It has been alleged that Aguilar had originally asked Chavez, a friend, to run for his office as a "ghost candidate," so that he would have an easy reelection race.[2] Chavez unexpectedly beat Aguilar in the general election.

Aguilar later served as an elected member of the Morton College Board of Trustees.

On April 16, 2020, now a Democrat, he was appointed to the Cook County Board of Commissioners to succeed Jeff Tobolski.[3][4]

Personal life

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His brother, John Aguilar, is also active in Republican politics in the northern Illinois area, and has served as a Township Trustee in Aurora Township, Illinois.

Electoral history

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References

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  1. ^ "Spooky campaign tricks". Chicago Tribune. November 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  2. ^ "Alleged 'Ghost Candidate' Wins In Cicero". WMAQ-TV. November 4, 2004. Archived from the original on July 27, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
  3. ^ Hinton, Rachel (April 16, 2020). "Mystery shrouds closed-door vote on Tobolski successor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Hinton, Rachel (April 20, 2020). "Swearing-in of Tobolski's County Board successor held behind closed doors – like his selection". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 25, 2020.