Jesus Salazar is a Mexican-American attorney born to Jose V. Salazar and Maria C. Salazar in 1963. His father moved the family to Chicago and settled in the Back of the Yards community in 1965. His father Jose worked for the Rock Island railroad line for over 30 years as a union power plant engineer as a member of AFL-CIO Local 660. Working 12 to 16 hour days he managed to support Jesus and his 4 siblings. His father instilled his strong work ethic in Jesus at a young age. Jesus was also instilled the value of receiving an education. His father told Jesus at the age of nine that he should consider a career as a lawyer due to Jesus’ talent for advocating on behalf of himself and his friends. His parents’ work ethic and educational values proved to be a driving force in his life.

Jesus attended St Charles Lwanga grammar school. He graduated Holy Name Cathedral H.S. with honors in 1981. He received a B.S. from DePaul University in 1986 and holds a law degree from John Marshall Law School. Jesus worked part-time to pay his way through high school. He also worked full time while attending college and law school. In pursuit of his childhood dream to be a lawyer, Jesus started his legal career while a senior in high school. He was hired as a law clerk by the law firm of Virgil W. Mungy and Associates. He quickly advanced to the position of paralegal shortly after starting college. After earning his law degree, he transitioned from paralegal to associate attorney. Jesus’ commitment to excellence did not go unnoticed and he was quickly promoted to managing attorney. Although he could now delegate his work to other lawyers in his firm, Jesus still juggled the largest caseload in the office.

Jesus has always taken advantage of opportunities to offer his time and knowledge to others. After finishing law school, he organized and coached several community youth football teams. He was aware that involvement in sports offered at risk teens mentoring opportunities and kept them off the streets. Currently, Jesus handles many pro-bono cases or cases done at a largely reduced fee for indigent clients who could not afford legal representation otherwise. Jesus is a member of the Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization, Puerto Rican Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association.