Early and Personal Life
Del Valle was born in Puerto Rico and was brought to Chicago at the age of four by his parents. He grew up in the predominately working class Latina/o West Town and Humboldt Park neighborhoods of Chicago. After graduating from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente Community Academy) in 1969 he went on to Northeastern Illinois University. At Northeastern Miguel got involved as a student organizer, joining the Union for Puerto Rican Students and writing for the student publication Que Ondee Sola.
After earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in Education and Guidance from Northeastern, Miguel served as Unit Director of the Barreto Boys & Girls Club and then as Executive Director of the Association House, a non-profit organization providing social services and educational programs on Chicago's northwest side. During his time as Executive Director of the Association House Miguel was heralded by the Chicago Tribune as an "emerging young leader." In 1982, after organizing meetings, rallies, and lobbying Chicago's Chicago City Council Miguel was successful in re-instating city funding for Association House's successful jobs program for unemployed youth.
In 2008, Miguel was awarded an honorary degree from National Louis University for his "inspirational leadership."
He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Advance Illinois and was appointed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn as Chairman of the Illinois P-20 Council. Additionally he served on several non-profit organizational boards, including Josephinium High School, the Latino Institute and the Spanish Coalition for Housing. He has also served as Chairman of the Mayor Harold Washington’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, and taught a class at Roosevelt University called “Latinos and Public Policy.”
Senator del Valle is married to Lupe, and has four children: Miguel Jr., Ivan, Esteban, and Vanessa.
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