Anthony's Story (Biography)

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Anthony is a lifelong Elgin resident and graduate of Larkin High School, Class of 2008. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 21, 2009, serving on active duty until October 1, 2013. During his service he deployed to Sangin Valley, Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011, during this deployment he earned a Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon. His time in the Marines shaped his understanding of leadership both on and off the battlefield. He learned that the strongest leaders are those who listen, learn from their teams, and never hesitate to stand alongside the people they serve.

After returning home, Anthony began his college education at Elgin Community College before transferring to Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology. While at Loyola, he completed an internship with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, gaining hands-on experience with patrol operations and specialized units. Following his undergraduate degree, he continued his education at DePaul University, earning his paralegal credential. He is now pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University to continue serving his community at a higher level.

Anthony currently serves as the Director of Operations at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he has worked on budgeting, procurement, training, onboarding, policy development, and daily administrative functions. In this role he works closely with prosecutors, staff, county leadership, and partner agencies to support public safety and improve the efficiency of the justice system. His experience in county government has strengthened his commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

In 2023, Anthony was elected to the Elgin City Council, becoming part of the city’s growing Latino representation. During his time on the council, he has led initiatives to increase transparency in city spending, including improving P-Card reporting and supporting open-data efforts. He also helped secure a major reallocation of council discretionary funds toward the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, reducing the amount the city needed to borrow. Anthony has been a committed advocate for public safety, immigrant families, responsible budgeting, and community-centered decision-making.

Before joining the council, Anthony served four years on the City of Elgin Police and Fire Commission, including time as Chair, where he championed greater diversity in police and fire hiring. Under his leadership and advocacy, Elgin saw historic growth in Latino and female representation in public safety roles. He also served on the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council, advising on statewide policies impacting veterans.

Anthony is one of the founders of Friends of Masons, a local nonprofit that provides scholarships, youth programming, and community events in Elgin. He also volunteered with the Kane County Health Department as a COVID-19 Case Investigator during the height of the pandemic, helping families navigate health protocols and support systems during a critical time.

Throughout his career in public service, Anthony has stayed focused on one core belief: real leadership comes from being present, working alongside your community, and never forgetting where you came from.