www.negociosnow.com
March 2020 49
Age: 38
Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Name of Organization: Office of
Gov. Pritzer
Torres' career in public ser-
vice is grounded in his belief
that fostering upward economic
mobility requires progressive
policies and investments that
support low and middle-income
families.
Torres contributed to the
success of Governor JB Pritzker's
first year in office as a member
of his policy team. In 2019, he
helped lead the development,
negotiation, and passage of the
Cannabis Regulation and Tax
Act– the most equity-centric
adult-use cannabis initiative in
the nation. Torres also worked
on other major priorities of the
administration including the
legalization of sports wagering,
the state's investment in Census
outreach, education policy, and
immigrant integration.
Prior to joining the adminis-
tration, Torres served as Deputy
Policy Director in the Governor's
campaign for office. He helped
shape the Governor's platform
for education, immigrant inte-
gration, criminal justice reform,
LGBTQ policy, and other issues
affecting residents throughout
the state.
Before joining the cam-
paign, Torres was the Associate
Director of the Latino Policy
Forum. In that role, he guided
the organization's legislative
agenda and administrative ad-
vocacy. In carrying out his res-
ponsibilities, Torres regularly
convened Latino-led nonprofit
service providers, civic leaders,
and other stakeholders to de-
velop and promote a common
policy agenda that emphasized
responsive governance, equity
of opportunity and investment,
and inclusive decision-making.
Torres holds a Bachelor of
Arts in Political Science from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign and a M.P.P. from
the Irving B. Harris School of
Public Policy at the University
of Chicago. He lives in Oak Park
with his wife, two children, and
two dogs.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"I
njustice anywhere is a threat
to justice everywhere."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A Leader
Helping Change
Martin V. Torres
