Destinee Ortiz didn’t wait for permission to lead.

A wife, mother of three, and proud Latina, Destinee represents a new generation of leadership in Will County—one that is rooted in community, driven by grit, and unafraid to challenge politics as usual.

Destinee proudly serves as the Will County Board Member for District 9 and as Vice President of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Since first being elected in 2022, she has built a reputation as a fearless and independent voice who fights to protect taxpayers, defend the environment, and ensure county government works for the people—not political insiders.

But Destinee’s story didn’t begin in government chambers.

It began at kitchen tables, on neighborhood sidewalks, and on thousands of front porches across District 9.

A young mom raising three children, Destinee earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors in Political Science and American Studies. While taking a full college course load, substitute teaching in Valley View School District classrooms, and breastfeeding her five-month-old baby, Destinee built a grassroots campaign from the ground up.

She knocked on thousands of doors herself—listening to neighbors, hearing their frustrations, and organizing a movement for change.

And she won.

That same determination defines her leadership today.

Destinee has become known as a leader who doesn’t just support good ideas—she spearheads them. She led the effort to secure funding for the county’s shallow aquifer feasibility study, a critical step toward protecting Will County’s long-term water supply and safeguarding the natural resources our communities depend on. Environmental advocates across the region recognized her leadership in advancing sustainable solutions and protecting our air, land, and water.

Her work ethic and leadership quickly earned the trust of her colleagues, leading to her election as President—and now Vice President—of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. She was also selected to chair the County Board’s Legislative Committee, where she helped lead one of the most productive periods in the committee’s history.

Destinee has championed conservation, habitat restoration, and expanded access to outdoor spaces because she believes protecting open land is about more than the environment—it’s about public health, community wellbeing, and ensuring future generations inherit a county worth loving.

She has also fought to ensure every resident can safely access county services. Destinee led efforts urging the county to address due process concerns related to federal immigration enforcement interactions and worked alongside local immigrant-rights organizations to advocate for policies that protect constitutional rights while maintaining public safety.

Throughout it all, Destinee has remained exactly who voters elected her to be—an independent voice who cannot be bossed or bought.

She asks tough questions.
She challenges the status quo.
And she refuses to put politics ahead of people.

As a proud Latina, working mom, and grassroots organizer turned elected official, Destinee Ortiz is proof that leadership doesn’t come from political connections—it comes from courage, community, and the willingness to do the work.

From knocking doors with a baby at home to leading major initiatives that protect our environment and taxpayer dollars, Destinee continues to show what is possible when everyday people step up and lead.

Because the future of Will County shouldn’t be decided by insiders—it should be shaped by the people who live here, raise families here, and fight every day to make it better.

And Destinee Ortiz is just getting started.