My name is Thomas Castillo, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 2010. I am union electrician. My wife Elizabeth is a nurse for an OB/GYN in Cook County, Illinois. We live in Elmhurst, Illinois with our dog and best friend Carma.

I was born November 6, 1976 to Juan and Charlene Castillo. My father was born in Laredo, Texas and his mother was born in Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico. My wife Elizabeth’s parents migrated to Illinois from Cuernavaca, Mexico in 1976.

I have two older brothers and two younger sisters. My mother’s side of my family has been in Chicago since my great grandparents migrated here from Italy in 1918.

I attended Kinzie Elementary and St. Jane Elementary in Chicago, graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood, and went on to attend Michigan State University, where I studied psychology, early childhood education, and architecture.

I am a proud, card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #134, as are both my brothers and my nephew. Like millions of people in Illinois, I know what it’s like to work with my hands at least 40 hours per week.

The Lt. Governor’s office, like all political offices, should be about helping the people, and I am no stranger to helping people achieve to the best of their abilities. Soon after becoming an electrician, I was made foreman of a 3.5 million dollar construction project. Since completion, less than .5% of the electrical systems in this building have required service—a percentage that far outperforms the average for similar projects.

I understand the battles that many families face on a daily basis. Many struggle to keep their homes, pay bills, and put food on the table—all this as they try to make a better life for their loved ones. My desire to change Illinois comes from personal experience: my wife and I have fought those same battles.

I have not always been interested in politics, let alone holding public office. But I love my wife, family, and neighbors, and I care about their future, so to say nothing at a time when change is more urgent than ever—when more and more Illinois politicians are corrupt and unresponsive to the people they’ve sworn to protect—would be unforgivable.

This is my promise to you: I will represent all Illinoisans and fight for laws and policies that put the people first. Government in Illinois should be of, by, and for the people, not the well financed and politically connected few. Please look at my Issues page to learn more.

We brought change to the White House. Now, let’s bring change to the State House.

It Starts With You!


To learn how you can join my campaign for Lt. Governor, please visit my Get Involved page.