Destinee Ortiz for Will County Board
Mom, Educator, People-Powered Public Servant.
Why I’m Running…
I'm running for office because, as a mother of three, I’m tired of everyday families getting left behind.
I believe Will County deserves better — a future where we invest in affordable clean water, protect our environment, create living-wage green union jobs, and build a government that actually reflects the people it serves.
Meet Destinee
Destinee Ortiz is the Will County Board Member of the 9th District serving parts of DuPage, Lockport, Plainfield, Wheatland, and Homer Townships. She became the first Latina ever elected to her district and the youngest woman elected to serve on the Will County Board when she took office in 2022. Furthermore, as one of the few board members who is a working parent of young children, she understands firsthand the challenges and realities faced by working families.
Born on the Southwest Side of Chicago, Board Member Ortiz is the eldest daughter and was raised by a teenage single mother. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and is seeking her master’s degree in special education from Governors State University (GSU).
Board Member Ortiz has successfully advocated for the funding of clean and sustainable water resources, and the 708 Community Mental Health Board. She authored and passed the county’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage Proclamation and has had five pieces of legislation passed promoting policies from food safety and sustainable waste management to funding for local health protection grants.
Board Member Ortiz currently serves as Chair of the Legislative Committee, which leads communication with lobbyists and lawmakers on county priorities. She also serves on the Finance, Stormwater Management, and Executive Committees, and represents the Democratic Caucus on the county’s Cannabis Tax Dollar Working Group, where she advocates for equitable investment strategies. Board Member Ortiz was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.
Board Member Ortiz was elected President of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners in 2024—becoming the first Latina in Will County history to hold that leadership role. President Ortiz works tirelessly to expand open green spaces, provide accessible trails and paths, and invest in equitable and universal infrastructure at the preserves for all residents to enjoy.
Outside of her official duties, Board Member Ortiz is a licensed paraprofessional, community advocate, and a proud mom of three. Her lived experience brings an essential voice to county government. She understands working families need a seat at the table or they risk being on the menu.
Board Member Ortiz was already deeply involved in her community—organizing, volunteering, and fighting for the issues that matter most to working families. She was part of the team that helped elect former Congresswoman Marie Newman during a critical time when access to reproductive healthcare was under threat. That experience helped shape her passion for standing up for everyday people, not just the well-connected.
Board Member Ortiz continues that work locally, volunteering with Working Families Will County—a group focused on giving working-class people a stronger voice in local decisions. She’s helped mentor new community leaders, support grassroots campaigns, and fight for more fairness in how public money is spent.
She also volunteers with Joliet Township High School’s Problem Solving Circles Program, which helps students build stronger relationships and resolve conflicts through restorative justice. As someone who was once kicked out of high school herself, Board Member Ortiz understands firsthand how traditional discipline systems can fail young people. Her experience fuels her belief that every student deserves a second chance and that restorative justice—not punishment—is the path to real accountability, healing, and growth.
Board Member Ortiz remains active in supporting candidates who believe in transparency, fairness, and putting people over politics. Whether she’s working on a campaign, meeting with residents, or pushing for clean government and smart budgets, her focus stays the same: creating a county that works for everyone—especially working families like hers.
Donate
I’m running for re-election because I believe our communities deserve leaders who listen, fight for fairness, and never forget where they came from. As a mother, an advocate, and someone who has faced real challenges, I’m committed to making sure everyday people have a seat at the table.
But I can’t do this alone. Campaigns like ours don’t run on corporate dollars or party machine money. We rely on the power of people like you—neighbors, friends, and voters who believe in a better future for Will County.
Your donation, no matter the size, helps us knock more doors, print more literature, and speak truth to power.
If you’re ready to invest in leadership that’s bold, honest, and rooted in community, chip in today. Let’s keep building something real—together.
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