Lilian Jiménez is a labor rights and immigration lawyer and life-long social justice advocate born and raised in Chicago.

Lilian was first elected to the Illinois state legislature in November 2022 and won her first re-election in 2024.

Lilian began her career running citizenship and advocacy programs in Humboldt Park, West Town and Hermosa through her work at non-profit agencies: Erie Neighborhood House and Association House of Chicago. She provided leadership training for immigrant mothers at Talcott, Chase and José de Diego Academy. Before attending law school at DePaul University, she also served as the Political Action Coordinator at UNITE! helping to organize and politically engage garment workers at industrial laundries is West Town and across the midwest.

Lilian is the child of a father from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and mother from Tampico, Mexico. Lilian grew up in the South Side of Chicago and moved to West Town and Humboldt Park after college. She now lives in West Humboldt Park with her husband and 7 year old son.

Lilian became an advocate for immigrant rights due to her personal experiences with the unjust immigration legal system. Her mother migrated as an unaccompanied minor and lived undocumented for almost 40 years. When Lilian’s mother was threatened with deportation in 2006, Lilian faced a turning point in her life and decided to attend law school to protect her mother’s rights and dedicate her life to defending civil and human rights.

Prior to being elected as State Representative in November 2022, Lilian served in the Governor's administration as the Director of the Office of Welcoming Centers for Immigrant and Refugee Services at the Illinois Department of Human Services, where she worked closely with community based organizations to implement millions in rental assistance, social services and COVID recovery programs.

She previously served as Chief of Staff for Jesus “Chuy” García in his Cook Cook County Commissioner role, where she directed legislative efforts to pass the first-ever county-wide paid sick leave legislation, worked on the expansion of the County’s sanctuary and welcoming policies and led the office’s efforts on bond reform, the precursor to the Pretrial Fairness Act.

She also served as the Director of the Fair Labor Standards Division of the Illinois Department of Labor. At the Illinois Department of Labor, Lilian instituted the first ever U-visa policy to assist victims of workplace abuse. Lilian took on the exploitation of temp workers by increasing fines for wage theft and domestic labor abuses.

Jiménez is a strong legislator because she has experienced barriers such as poverty, disinvestment and discrimination first hand and has dedicated herself to eliminating those barriers for others. As a mother and member of this community, she is committed to keeping the 4th District affordable, safe and welcoming for working families, immigrants and long-time residents.