Eric S. Reyes
Encyclopedia
Eric Steven Reyes is a Democratic Party
candidate for the United States Congress
in Illinois's 17th congressional district.
with his brother and sister.
Reyes attended Lincoln Elementary, Audubon Elementary, Washington Junior High School, and Rock Island High School, graduating in 1997.
Reyes graduated from Augustana College
, in Rock Island, Illinois, with B.A.s in Political Science and Philosophy. During his time in college, Reyes was an active student leader, holding positions in a variety of clubs and organizations such as: Multicultural Programming Board, Multicultural Coalition, Enhanced Cultural Curriculum Committee, Latinos Unidos, and Gamma Alpha Beta, and he was the first ever Multicultural Representative to the Student Government Association. Reyes was also a founding member of the College Democrats of Augustana. He was elected President of this organization during his senior year, and during his tenure, the organization saw an increase in membership of over one thousand percent. Throughout his time at Augustana, Reyes volunteered 20–30 hours per week at the Boys & Girls Club (He was honored to be recognized as Volunteer of the Month in the local paper for his work there) and worked full time.
Reyes earned his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law
, focusing his studies on Constitutional Law
. In his spare time, he was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
. During this time Reyes enlisted in the Military but was badly injured in Boot Camp and was unable to continue.
's U.S. Senate campaign
and was hired to be the Northern Illinois County Organizer. He ran the campaign in Boone, Lee, Ogle, DeKalb, and Kendall Counties. The proximity of these counties to Winnebago County, led to his working a great deal in Rockford as well.
After law school, Reyes opened his own law office and practiced primarily Family Law. He was also retained by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 145 who he helped with union contract enforcement and the preservation and restoration of collective bargaining
power.
Reyes became an Assistant State's Attorney for Rock Island County
in 2008. Reyes was designated the Domestic Violence Prosecutor, and the prosecution protocol he instituted led to a dramatic improvement in the percentage of successful prosecutions for domestic battery, as well as a drop in arrests for such incidents. Due to his record in that division, Reyes was then designated as the county's first ever Gang & Organized-Crime Prosecutor. He worked with all local, state, and federal authorities to attempt to stem the tide of gang violence.
In 2010, Reyes accepted a position as Partner with the firm VanDerGinst Law, P.C., making him one of the youngest partners at a law firm in the area at the age of 31.
Reyes returned to private practice in 2011, focusing his practice on Criminal, Family, and Immigration Law. It was during this period that he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress in the Illinois 17th Congressional District.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in Illinois's 17th congressional district.
Early life and education
Eric Reyes was born to Sandra and David Reyes, the first-generation American son of a janitor and data entry clerk. He grew up in Rock Island, IllinoisRock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
with his brother and sister.
Reyes attended Lincoln Elementary, Audubon Elementary, Washington Junior High School, and Rock Island High School, graduating in 1997.
Reyes graduated from Augustana College
Augustana College
Augustana College may refer to:*Augustana College *Augustana College *Augustana University College, Alberta...
, in Rock Island, Illinois, with B.A.s in Political Science and Philosophy. During his time in college, Reyes was an active student leader, holding positions in a variety of clubs and organizations such as: Multicultural Programming Board, Multicultural Coalition, Enhanced Cultural Curriculum Committee, Latinos Unidos, and Gamma Alpha Beta, and he was the first ever Multicultural Representative to the Student Government Association. Reyes was also a founding member of the College Democrats of Augustana. He was elected President of this organization during his senior year, and during his tenure, the organization saw an increase in membership of over one thousand percent. Throughout his time at Augustana, Reyes volunteered 20–30 hours per week at the Boys & Girls Club (He was honored to be recognized as Volunteer of the Month in the local paper for his work there) and worked full time.
Reyes earned his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law
Northern Illinois University College of Law
Northern Illinois University College of Law is a law school in DeKalb, Illinois. The College offers the Juris Doctor degree in both full-time and part-time programs.-History:...
, focusing his studies on Constitutional Law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
. In his spare time, he was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
. During this time Reyes enlisted in the Military but was badly injured in Boot Camp and was unable to continue.
Career
During his time in law school, Reyes became involved in Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's U.S. Senate campaign
United States Senate election in Illinois, 2004
The 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald decided to retire after one term. The Democratic and Republican primary elections were held in March, which included a total of 15 candidates who combined to spend a...
and was hired to be the Northern Illinois County Organizer. He ran the campaign in Boone, Lee, Ogle, DeKalb, and Kendall Counties. The proximity of these counties to Winnebago County, led to his working a great deal in Rockford as well.
After law school, Reyes opened his own law office and practiced primarily Family Law. He was also retained by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
Local 145 who he helped with union contract enforcement and the preservation and restoration of collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
power.
Reyes became an Assistant State's Attorney for Rock Island County
State's Attorney
In the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
in 2008. Reyes was designated the Domestic Violence Prosecutor, and the prosecution protocol he instituted led to a dramatic improvement in the percentage of successful prosecutions for domestic battery, as well as a drop in arrests for such incidents. Due to his record in that division, Reyes was then designated as the county's first ever Gang & Organized-Crime Prosecutor. He worked with all local, state, and federal authorities to attempt to stem the tide of gang violence.
In 2010, Reyes accepted a position as Partner with the firm VanDerGinst Law, P.C., making him one of the youngest partners at a law firm in the area at the age of 31.
Reyes returned to private practice in 2011, focusing his practice on Criminal, Family, and Immigration Law. It was during this period that he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress in the Illinois 17th Congressional District.
External links
- Friends of Eric Reyes Official campaign site
- Team Reyes 2012 Official Twitter page
- Eric Reyes for Congress Official Facebook page