Meet Steve Spagnolo
Steve is originally from the southwest side of Chicago near Midway Airport. Two years after his father was killed in an armed robbery Steve and his mother moved to the southwest suburbs where she raised him with the help of supportive family and friends. After his father’s death, Steve’s mother went back to school and became an ultrasound tech to help support their family. The death of Steve’s father helped shape his worldview and drive him toward a life of public service and advocacy.
Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He was elected a member of the Student Government Association and was President of his College Democrats Chapter.
When he returned from college Steve began working to elect progressive Democrats up and down the ballot in Illinois. He’s worked on the campaigns of Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Congressman Bill Foster, former 45th Ward Alderman John Arena, former CTU President Karen Lewis’ brief campaign for Mayor, U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia’s Mayoral campaign, numerous Cook County Judges, and many others. He has also served in official staff capacities for Congressman Bill Foster and 43rd Ward Alderwoman Michele Smith.
Today, Steve works for Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart as the Chief of Government Relations and External Affairs. He oversees a team of staff and consultants in charge of communications for the office, grant management, legislative advocacy, and policy development. Since taking the position Steve has helped the office secure numerous grants and awards amounting to nearly $4.5 million dollars. These grants include funds for a Human Trafficking Task Force, a Conviction Integrity Unit, a Juvenile Diversion Program, Domestic Violence Diversion Program, and funds for Innovative Prosecution through enhanced technological capabilities. He also manages a $750,000 grant supporting the treatment and deflection of non-violent individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. This wellness center serving historically under-represented populations is the first of its kind in Lake County.
Through his work in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Steve has secured over $1 million dollars (and is seeking millions more) for a Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI). The GVPI will directly address the root causes of violence in the most impacted communities of Lake County and provide violence interrupters to mediate conflict and identify those most at-risk of violence. Steve has worked directly with State’s Attorney Rinehart and members of the Illinois General Assembly on criminal justice reform legislation, funding for victim services, and recent efforts to ban assault weapons both statewide and nationally.
Steve has also worked directly with State’s Attorney Rinehart and police chiefs to develop the first written Brady policies in Lake County’s history. Significantly, Steve has played a large role in publicizing law enforcement data in Lake County which is an enormous change to the county’s legal and political culture.
Steve has lived in Albany Park for over 7 years with his wife Nicole and their son. He served as a community representative on the Local School Council at Roosevelt High School for the past 4 years and before that was a Community Representative at Albany Park Multicultural Academy. Steve is an avid Star Wars fan and movie buff and enjoys attending conventions with his wife and family in their spare time.
Meet Steve Spagnolo
Steve is originally from the southwest side of Chicago near Midway Airport. Two years after his father was killed in an armed robbery Steve and his mother moved to the southwest suburbs where she raised him with the help of supportive family and friends. After his father’s death, Steve’s mother went back to school and became an ultrasound tech to help support their family. The death of Steve’s father helped shape his worldview and drive him toward a life of public service and advocacy.
Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He was elected a member of the Student Government Association and was President of his College Democrats Chapter.
When he returned from college Steve began working to elect progressive Democrats up and down the ballot in Illinois. He’s worked on the campaigns of Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Congressman Bill Foster, former 45th Ward Alderman John Arena, former CTU President Karen Lewis’ brief campaign for Mayor, U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia’s Mayoral campaign, numerous Cook County Judges, and many others. He has also served in official staff capacities for Congressman Bill Foster and 43rd Ward Alderwoman Michele Smith.
Today, Steve works for Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart as the Chief of Government Relations and External Affairs. He oversees a team of staff and consultants in charge of communications for the office, grant management, legislative advocacy, and policy development. Since taking the position Steve has helped the office secure numerous grants and awards amounting to nearly $4.5 million dollars. These grants include funds for a Human Trafficking Task Force, a Conviction Integrity Unit, a Juvenile Diversion Program, Domestic Violence Diversion Program, and funds for Innovative Prosecution through enhanced technological capabilities. He also manages a $750,000 grant supporting the treatment and deflection of non-violent individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. This wellness center serving historically under-represented populations is the first of its kind in Lake County.
Through his work in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Steve has secured over $1 million dollars (and is seeking millions more) for a Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI). The GVPI will directly address the root causes of violence in the most impacted communities of Lake County and provide violence interrupters to mediate conflict and identify those most at-risk of violence. Steve has worked directly with State’s Attorney Rinehart and members of the Illinois General Assembly on criminal justice reform legislation, funding for victim services, and recent efforts to ban assault weapons both statewide and nationally.
Steve has also worked directly with State’s Attorney Rinehart and police chiefs to develop the first written Brady policies in Lake County’s history. Significantly, Steve has played a large role in publicizing law enforcement data in Lake County which is an enormous change to the county’s legal and political culture.
Steve has lived in Albany Park for over 7 years with his wife Nicole and their son. He served as a community representative on the Local School Council at Roosevelt High School for the past 4 years and before that was a Community Representative at Albany Park Multicultural Academy. Steve is an avid Star Wars fan and movie buff and enjoys attending conventions with his wife and family in their spare time.
Steve will fight for reforms that will make our communities safer and fairer