The Honorable Calvin Giles

Calvin Lamont Giles was born on July 10, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Betty, was a stewardess, and his father, Louis, was active in the Civil Rights Movement. Giles attended Resurrection Grade School and Holy Trinity High School. He became involved with local Chicago politics at an early age by working in the office of his uncle, Percy Giles, Alderman of Chicago’s 37th Ward. While working for his uncle, Giles had the opportunity to work on the mayoral campaign of Harold Washington.

In 1993, Giles was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives, replacing the deceased Robert LeFlore. He was elected to the same office the following year. He co-sponsored a bill to appropriate $10 million toward the construction of a new library in Oak Park, Illinois. He serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government and as a member of the Committees on Aging and Elementary & Secondary Education. He is also active with the Young Democrats of Illinois.

Married, Giles has received several awards, including “Legislator of the Year,” presented by the 37th Ward Organization, as well as awards of appreciation from Chicago State University and the Chicago Teachers Union.

Giles was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on August 9, 2000.