Delia Ramirez

Delia Ramirez

Delia Ramirez (born June 2, 1983) is an American politician serving as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 4th district.

In 2022, Ramirez was elected to the United States House of Representatives in Illinois's 3rd congressional district.

Early life

The daughter of immigrants from Guatemala, Ramirez was raised in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. She graduated from Sabin Magnet Elementary School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in justice studies from Northeastern Illinois University.

Career

Before entering elected office, Delia Ramirez worked and held leadership roles in social service agencies, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and local community organizations. Notably, she was president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association from 2005 to 2007, executive director of the homelessness-focused non-profit Center for Changing Lives from 2004 to 2013, and president of the Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) from 2016 to 2019.

In the 2018 Illinois House of Representatives election, she ran for the open 4th district seat to succeed incumbent Cynthia Soto. She identified stable housing and stable schools, reliable and responsible government, and public safety and justice reform as her primary issues of concern. She was part of a slate of Latino candidates backed by then-Cook County Commissioner and congressional candidate Chuy Garcia.She was also endorsed by a number of local elected officials, labor unions, and progressive organizations, including U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez, aldermen Carlos Rosa and Roberto Maldonado, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois AFL–CIO, SEIU Healthcare and Local 73, United Working Families, and Our Revolution - Illinois. Ramirez won a four-way Democratic primary election on March 20 with 48% of the vote, and ran uncontested in the general election on November 6, 2018.

JStreet PAC endorsement

In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Delia Ramirez.

J Street-backed progressive champion Delia Ramirez was elected in 2022 to represent Northwestern Chicago and parts of DuPage County in the House.

Congresswoman Ramirez is a champion of J Street’s values and priorities. She has publicly stated that a “permanent two-state solution that allows Israeli and Palestinians to live in peace and security in viable and prosperous states which respect the democratic, civil and economic rights of all peoples.” Ramirez has said that she supported President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, which verifiably blocked Iran's path to nuclear weapons, and will continue to be committed to curbing Iran’s nuclear activities and other threatening behavior through diplomacy.

CPC PAC’s first-ever Executive Board

June 6, 2023, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Co-Chairs Mark Pocan (WI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) announced the CPC PAC’s first-ever Executive Board. The CPC PAC Executive Board will be comprised of Reps. Greg Casar, Lloyd Doggett, Maxwell Frost, Chuy Garcia, Delia Ramirez and Jill Tokuda.

“We are incredibly excited to have these exceptional progressives join the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC leadership as we prepare to bolster progressive power in Congress and win back the House majority in 2024,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Co-Chairs Mark Pocan, Pramila Jayapal, and Jamie Raskin. “These six talented CPC members bring a diverse range of experience to the CPC PAC Executive Board and the leadership they have demonstrated throughout their history of public service will enable the CPC PAC to build on the success of past cycles heading into one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s history.”

Ceasefire Now Resolution

From an article from The Intercept regarding the Hamas-empowering Ceasefire Now Resolution dated October 20, 2023 by Ryan Grim:

Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2023) — Today, Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Andre Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03), alongside Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) announced a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.

Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Maxwell Frost, and Greg Casar joined a few days later.

Resolution condemning socialism

Fedrary 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.

The Resolution began:

Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;

Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;

Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;

Eighty six Democrats voted no. Forteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.

Representative Delia Ramirez voted "Nay".

No to China committee

Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.

The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.

However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Delia Ramirez.

“Chicago for All of Us” rally

According to Erin Boyle, on Thursday, March 30 2023, Brandon Johnson and Bernie Sanders held a joint “Chicago for All of Us” rally at the Credit Union 1 Arena, drawing a crowd of more than 4000 supporters. The event comes after Sanders’ endorsement of Johnson for the April 4 mayoral runoff election. The event included speeches from Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa; Representatives Jonathan Jackson and Delia Ramirez; president of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten; Martin Luther King III, and Senator Bernie Sanders.

The Johnson campaign is an example of the sort of rainbow coalition Chicago hasn’t seen since the Harold Washington campaign of the 1980s, and the crowd showed it. An integral part of the rainbow politics of the 1980s, Reverend Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist and leader of the Rainbow-PUSH coalition was also present.

Senator Sanders spoke on the connection between the movement and the Johnson campaign, stating, “He understands what you and I understand: that racism and bigotry are all about the ruling class trying to divide us and what we are about is bringing our people together to fight for a city, fight for a nation that works for all of us not just the few.”

Representative Ramirez praised the diverse nature of the crowd and its representative strength of the people’s movement in Chicago. She shared advice from her mother: “Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien ere” (“Tell me who you are with and I’ll tell you who you are”).

On the stage, students from the Little Village Lawndale Highschool Fightback Organization stood behind the speakers. Earlier that same day the students had led a walkout of hundreds of mostly Black and Latino students to denounce Paul Vallas and his attacks on public education while he was in office as the superintendent of Chicago Public schools.

Representative Jackson contrasted this shameful record with Johnson’s experience as a former public school teacher and member of the Chicago Teachers Union, saying Johnson is, “A man who starts his career going into a classroom on behalf of the children will no doubt end his career working for the elevation of every human life.”

Finally, Brandon Johnson took the stage to thunderous applause. He spoke against the reactionary attacks on his campaign by stating: “They have tried to make us feel bad because we believe in collective bargaining and unionism, let me make this clear: the last time I checked Chicago is a union town. And if you are an enemy of labor, you are an enemy of the people!”

Green New Deal Resolution

Washington (April 19, 2023) – During Earth Week and on the four-year anniversary of the Green New Deal Resolution, Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) will reintroduce the resolution at a press conference at the Senate Swamp on THURSDAY, April 20th at 12:00 PM. Lee will also join Senator to announce new legislation focused on tackling the intersecting climate and public health crises.

The lawmakers will be joined by Green New Deal members of Congress and labor, health, climate, and justice advocates to celebrate the intersectional coalition’s achievement in getting the Inflation Reduction Act passed—the federal government’s largest-ever investment in climate and clean energy—while outlining the fight ahead to deliver a just, Green New Deal future that upholds the promise of the resolution and the movement that it inspired.

— Senator Ed Markey —Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez —Representative Ro Khanna —Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) —Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) —Representative Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) —Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) —Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10) —Representative Delia Ramirez (IL-03) —Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) —Representative Becca Balint (VT) —Kaniela Ing, National Director of the [Green New Deal Network]] —Sara Nelson, President of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA —Dr. Colleen Achong, SEIU Healthcare, Committee of Interns and Residents —Jacqui Patterson, Executive Director of the Chisholm Legacy Project and Climate Justice Alliance member

Representatives Chellie Pingree and Valerie Foushee also showed up. THURSDAY, April 20th at 12:00 PM, Senate Swamp, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Green New Deal Network

The Green New Deal Network is proud to endorse @Delia4Congress, who is running to represent Illinois' 3rd congressional district.

She would be a fierce advocate for #GND legislation in Congress, and has a proven track record of fighting for clean energy jobs and infrastructure.

The daughter of working-class Guatemalan immigrants, Delia Ramirez has a long history of championing issues like affordable housing, quality education, and passing Medicare-for-All in Chicago and Illinois.

"No one can negate my experience in running a shelter, running housing organizations, what gentrification looks like, what tenants are going through, and how to incentivize landlords to provide affordable housing" — Delia Ramirez via @LatinoRebels

With this experience in mind, we're confident that @Delia4Congress will be a deeply transformative representative for this newly redrawn district in Chicago, and she'd lead her caucus in pushing to guarantee housing as a human right

Our Revolution

The first Latina from the Midwest to serve in Congress, US Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-3) will talk to us about how progressives are building power to deliver for working people.

We’ll hear from Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates on the opportunity to elect Brandon Johnson as a progressive mayor in the city next month!

Then, Shawn Denney will talk about his candidacy for Mayor in Lawrence, IN; and, Our Revolution Organizing Coordinator Anna-Marta Visky will give an update on our work to end subminimum wages state by state.

The People's Slate

People's Action, together with our member groups in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina and more, knocked on 1 million doors and made 2 million phone calls to voters in the 2022 cycle.

U.S. Senate & House of Representatives: Ilhan Omar, Minnesota U.S. House District 5, Peter Welch, Vermont U.S. Senate, Summer Lee, Pennsylvania U.S. House, District 34, John Fetterman, U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania, Becca Balint, Vermont U.S. House, Delia Ramirez, Illinois U.S House, District 3, Brittany Pettersen, Colorado U.S. House, District 7, Jason Crow, Colorado U.S. House, District 6, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Washington U.S. House District 3.

Medicare for All

Cheryl Webb November 30, 2022.

"We’re SO thrilled to congratulate and welcome these new members of Congress who won their elections earlier this month on a platform of supporting Medicare for All!

Greg Casar - TX-35, Summer Lee - PA-12, Valerie Foushee - NC-04, Shri Thanedar - MI-03, Delia Ramirez - IL-03, Maxwell Frost - FL-10, Sydney Kamlager - CA-37, Robert Garcia - CA-42, Becca Balint - VT-at large, Morgan McGarvey - KY-03, Glenn Ivey - MD-04, Kevin Mullin - CA-15, Jill Tokuda - HI-02, Jonathan Jackson - IL-01, John Fetterman - Senator-elect, Pennsylvania, Peter Welch - Senator-elect, Vermont .

2022 CPC new members

During an event at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C., Pramila Jayapal said that 15 of the 18 candidates the CPC's political arm had won their elections as of Sunday, with another win potentially on the way.

“There’s no question this will be the most progressive Democratic Caucus in decades,” Jayapal said, adding that they will have over 100 members in the 118th Congress compared to their current membership of 99.

By the numbers: Jayapal was joined at the press conference by nearly a dozen incoming members.

They were: Morgan McGarvey (Ky.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Robert Garcia (Calif.), Shri Thanedar (Mich.), Maxwell Frost (Fla.) Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Jill Tokuda (Hawaii), Delia Ramirez (Ill.), Greg Casar (Texas), Becca Balint (Vt.) and Jonathan Jackson (Ill.).

Progressive Change Campaign Committee

Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed Delia Ramirez in 2022.

Working Families Party

In 2022 Delia Ramirez was endorsed by Working Families Party and United Working Families.

Greg Casar, Delia Ramirez, Maxwell Frost, Summer Lee, Becca Balint, Jasmine Crockett.

UWF committee

The United Working Families Committee is made up of delegates from affiliated organizations and six at-large delegates elected by members every two years at the convention.

Rep. Delia Ramirez, represented the elected officials chapter.

The People's Lobby

The People's Lobby endorsed Delia Ramirez in 2022.

Our Revolution endorsement 2022

Our Revolution endorsed Delia Ramirez in 2022.

Progressive Democrats of America, 2024

Progressive Democrats of America House endorsements 2024 Alma Adams, Becca Balint, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Greg Casar, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Raul Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Summer Lee, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Takano.

Progressive Democrats of America

Progressive Democrats of America 2022 House challenger endorsements were Becca Balint, Greg Casar, Angelica Duenas, Maxwell Frost, Jonathan Jackson, Gary Josephson, Summer Lee, Derek Marshall, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, Delia Ramirez, Michelle Vallejo.

Progressive Caucus foundation

February 2019, a group of House Democrats formed an official Illinois Progressive Caucus they say will champion a liberal agenda “to provide a better direction” for Illinois.

State Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) speaks during a news conference Thursday in Capitol in Springfield to announce the formation of a new progressive caucus which will push for the legalization of cannabis and campaign finance reforms this legislative session. She was joined by (from left) Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), Rep. Theresa Mah (D-Chicago), Rep. Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago), Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago)

Among their legislative priorities are increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour, legalizing recreational marijuana, and campaign finance reform. The minimum wage increase has been approved by the Senate and House and awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.

The Progressive Caucus’s 16 members, most of whom are from Chicago and the suburbs, also plan to consider other initiatives, such as a progressive income tax and expansion of Medicare.

“We are a group of legislators who believe in a progressive vision for our state, one where our government guarantees stability and decency for all Illinoisans,” said Rep. Carol Ammons, caucus co-chair from Urbana.

That evolved into the caucus’s Statement of Principles, based on an idea “there is an unjust concentration of power at the very top” of government, said co-chair Will Guzzardi, a representative from Chicago.

The governor also indicated his support for legalizing recreational marijuana. Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago, with Sen. Heather Steans, is leading the group’s efforts to accomplish that.

Chicago Rep. Theresa Mah outlined the group’s ideas, which have not yet been submitted as legislative proposals this session. A candidate could choose to forego accepting large donations, in favor of small-donor ones that are matched “several times over” by a public fund through state government.

Other members of the group include Reps. Celina Villanueva, Delia Ramirez, Sara Feigenholtz, Robyn Gabel, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Greg Harris, Rob Martwick, Joyce Mason, Aaron Ortiz, Lamont Robinson, Anne Stava-Murray and Maurice West.