RUN FOR SOMETHING: Miguel Valente for Sangamon County Board, District 18
Miguel M. Valente is a proud veteran, the son of immigrants, and a Progressive Democrat running for the Sangamon County Board. A resident of Sangamon County since 2022, Miguel is committed to bringing innovative change to District 18 and improving the quality of life for all residents. Having grown up on the South Side of Chicago in an immigrant family from Guerrero, Mexico, he deeply understands the need to address and advocate for low-income and minority groups.
Miguel aims to be a proactive and accessible elected official for Sangamon County's 18th District. If elected, he vows to represent the best interests of his district and engage with all residents, regardless of political affiliation or socioeconomic status.
Currently, Miguel serves as a Budget Analyst I at the Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. (Note: The views expressed on this website are personal and do not reflect the views of the State of Illinois, his employer.) His previous experience includes working as a Financial Planning Analyst for the City of Springfield, IL - Office of Budget & Management. As of December 11, 2025, he was named the Executive Director of Illinois Veterans for Change, a statewide political action committee of Democratic veterans dedicated to expanding veteran representation in elected office across Illinois. To learn more, visit: https://www.ilveteransforchange.org/
Miguel made history as the first person in his family to graduate from university and serve in the U.S. military. He proudly served as a Water Treatment Specialist in the Illinois Army National Guard, activated for both federal and state missions. A proud alumnus of Chicago Public Schools, Miguel graduated from Gurdon S. Hubbard High School in 2018. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science (2022) and a Master's in Public Administration (2024), both from the University of Illinois Springfield.
https://www.votevalente.com