George A. Cardenas

George Cárdenas is currently serving his first term as Cook County Board of Review Commissioner for the First District, which includes Chicago’s southwest side, parts of the northwest side, and communities across the western and northwest suburbs. Prior to his election, he served for more than 20 years as a Chicago alderman, where he was appointed Deputy Floor Leader of the City Council and served multiple terms as Chair of both the City Council’s Committee on Public Health and the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. Commissioner Cárdenas has also served as a member of the Cook County Environmental Commission, bringing a longstanding commitment to public service and community advocacy to his role on the Board of Review.

As a young child, George Cárdenas and his family came to Chicago in search of the American Dream after emigrating from Durango, Mexico. He graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1984 and went on to serve in the United States Navy, earning an honorable discharge. Following his military service, Cárdenas earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s degree in political science from Northeastern Illinois University. Before entering public service, he worked as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies, where he developed a strong foundation in finance, operations, and accountability—skills that continue to inform his practical, results-driven approach to public leadership. This professional background, combined with his personal journey, gives him a deep understanding of community needs and fuels his commitment to being a strong voice for positive change.

Commissioner George Cárdenas, who was raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, now resides in McKinley Park with his family.