Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez, a Chicago native and member of the Democratic Party, served in the United States Congress from 1993 to 2019, with the following committee assignments: the Committee on Financial Services (103rd–112th Congresses, 1993–2013); the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (103rd–109th Congresses, 1993–2007); the Committee on Foreign Affairs (103rd Congress, 1993–1995); the Judiciary Committee (110th–111th Congresses, 2007–2011); and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (112th Congress, 2011–2013). Before entering Congress, Gutiérrez worked as a teacher for Chicago Public Schools, a social worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and was elected an Alderman to the Chicago City Council.

Congressman Gutiérrez was well known for his robust and progressive legislative agenda, which included immigration reform, maintaining funding for healthcare research, and protecting victims of sexual assault. He is also known for his commitment to improve Chicago’s mass transit system (the 2nd largest in the country) and his contributions to the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform Act and the formation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Gutiérrez earned his bachelor's degree in English from Northeastern Illinois University. NEIU awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in May 2018 in recognition of his many accomplishments.