Ortíz defeated
Daniel J. Burke in the 2018 Democratic primary as part of a slate of Latino candidates backed by now Congressman
Chuy García, and Senator
Bernie Sanders. He was sworn into office January 9, 2019. On March 17, 2020, Ortiz handily defeated his primary challenger Alicia Martinez, a worker with Brackenbox, Inc., and a former staffer and member of Alderman Edward M. Burke's political organization. On January 21, 2021, Ortiz was added to House Leadership and was named as a new House Majority Caucus Whip. On February 5, 2021, Ortiz was elected as the House Chair for the
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. As of July 2, 2022, Representative Ortíz is a member of the following Illinois House Committees: • Appropriations - Elementary & Secondary Education (HAPE) • Appropriations - General Service (HAPG) • Appropriations - Human Services (HAPH) • Labor & Commerce (HLBR) • Medicaid & Managed Care Subcommittee (HAPH-MEDI) • Mental Health & Addiction (HMEH) • Transportation Issues Subcommittee (HVES-TVSI) • Transportation: Vehicles & Safety (HVES) ==Ward Committeeperson==