Edwin Reyes, 46, is the Cook County Commissioner for the 8th District. Reyes was appointed to fill the vacant seat in 2009. Reyes is strongly committed to a responsible county budget and making the services of county government available to the residents of the 8th District. His first votes as a County Commissioner included votes to roll back the sales tax and to override President Stroger’s veto.

Reyes serves on the County Board Committees for Contract Compliance, Finance (Labor Subcommittee), Finance (Real Estate and Business and Economic Development Subcommittee), Human Relations, Audit, Law Enforcement. He also serves on the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners and the Botanic Garden, Recreation, Zoological Committees. Reyes is the Chair of the Forest Preserve Committee on Law Enforcement.

Born in Chicago, Reyes grew up in the Lakeview neighborhood. After graduation from Lakeview High School and two years at Northern Illinois University, Reyes joined the United States Air Force, serving as an Environmental Health Technician at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colarado. Reyes transferred to the Illinois National Guard than became a Combat Arms Instructor in the United States Air Force Reserve.

Reyes became a State Trooper in 1990, patrolling Chicago expressways and serving as a Defensive Tactics and Crowd Control Instructor. Reyes advanced to a Gang Tactical Unit, assisting area municipal police departments in the suppression of gangs. Reyes developed and instructed the Gang Avoidance Initiative Network (GAIN) in Berwyn and Cicero and also served as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Instructor.

Reyes’ most recent duties as a State Trooper included an assignment to the Executive Protection Unit on the Governor’s Detail to provide security the  Governor of the State of Illinois.

In May of 1996, Reyes recieved his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Northeastern Illinois University.

In 2002, Reyes served as a Law Enforcement Volunteer for the Winter Olympic Games in Park City, Utah.

He is married to Iris De Jesus, with whom he has two beautiful daughters, Mia and Naya.