Chicago City Wire

After 26 years, a Republican is once again vying for a seat in the 3rd House District.

U.S. Army veteran Jonathan Serrano will be challenging incumbent Eva Dina Delgado in the November election after running unopposed in the Republican primary in June.

“The last time voters in Illinois House District 3 in Chicago had a choice on their general election ballot was in 1996,” Serrano posted on Facebook.

Serrano was born and raised in Chicago. He now works in the financial industry after leaving the Chicago Public Schools System, where he held various roles including a senior consultant in financial services and finance operations manager.

"After I left the U.S. Army, I came back to Chicago and I got right to work in the business operations and sales space with a couple of companies," Serrano told Illinois Policy, which urged him to run for office. "I later moved into the Chicago Public Schools system. I worked in a couple of capacities and finished my time as an operations manager, overseeing a $30 million portfolio of schools, finance, budgets, technology, security, facilities and food services."

A reason he also ran to represent the 3rd District is "the political environment emerging from 2016, 2020 elections."

"The issues," he said. "The lack of compromise. The lack of respect. The inability for people to disagree and still work together. We can do better, especially here in Illinois.”

He said he also would want to help his community – Belmont Cragin, Riis Park – "by helping the state become fiscally responsible.” According to Ballotpedia, Serrano is "passionate about fighting corruption that has plagued Illinois for years." 

He also wants Illinois to provide high-quality education and ensure students are adequately funded. 

Serrano, a licensed insurance agent, has been sending out pieces of financial advice on his Twitter and is encouraging people to financially plan for their future and lay down their debts. He is also encouraging responsible retirement savings as well as tips for an overall healthy lifestyle. 

Additionally, he is a licensed paraprofessional educator. His LinkedIn profile touts his expertise in federal contracting including procurement readiness and SBA small business certifications. Serrano holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Governors University. 

Serrano's November opponent, Delgado, is in her second term in the Illinois House and serves on the Appropriations-Public Safety, Consumer Protection, Elementary/Secondary Education-Administration, Licensing and Charter Schools and Transportation-Vehicle Safety committees. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Public Utilities Committee. Prior to the General Assembly, Delgado worked for the CTA, serving as Vice President of Government and Community Relations. She is involved in Lawyers Lend-a-Hand to Youth and she sits on the Saint Anthony Hospital Board.