Frank Aguilar

For the murderer who shared the name of "Frank Aguilar", see Joe Arridy.

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Frank Aguilar
Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 16th district
Incumbent
Assumed office April 20, 2020

Frank J. Aguilar is a politician currently serving as the member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 16th district. Currently a Democrat, he previously was a member of the Republican Party, under which he served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 24th district from 2002 to 2004.

Career

Aguilar served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 24th district from 2002 to 2004, becoming the only Hispanic American of his party in the General Assembly. Aguilar was defeated in 2004 by Democrat Michelle Chavez in a race that was thought to be non-competitive. ^[1] It has been alleged that Aguilar had originally asked Chavez, a friend of his, to run for the Democratic so that she could be a "ghost candidate" as Aguilar's general election opponent, hoping to ensure that Aguilar would have an easy reelection race. ^[2] Chavez unexpectedly beat Aguilar in the general election.

Aguilar later served as an elected member of the Morton College Board of Trustees.

On April 16, 2020, now a Democrat, he was appointed to the Cook County Board of Commissioners to succeed Jeff Tobolski. ^{[3] [4]}

Personal life

His brother, John Aguilar, is also active in Republican politics in the northern Illinois area, and has served as a Township Trustee in Aurora Township, Illinois.

Electoral history

• 2002 General election
  • Frank Aguilar (R) 53.59%
  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez (D) 46.41%
• 2004 General election
  • Michelle Chavez (D) 53.24%
  • Frank Aguiar (R) 46.76%

References

1. "Spooky campaign tricks". Chicago Tribune . November 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
2. "Alleged 'Ghost Candidate' Wins In Cicero". WMAQ-TV . November 4, 2004. Archived from the original on July 27, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
3. Hinton, Rachel (April 16, 2020). "Mystery shrouds closed-door vote on Tobolski successor". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved April 17, 2020.
4. Hinton, Rachel (April 20, 2020). "Swearing-in of Tobolski's County Board successor held behind closed doors – like his selection". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 25, 2020.