New Faces Join Cook County Government
Former Senator Iris Martinez and attorney Tammy Wendt joined Cook County government in December.
Tammy Wendt, Board of (Tax) Review
Wendt is a practicing attorney who began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Office of the Cook County State's Attorney in 2000.
In 2004, Wendt opened her own law firm, practicing in the areas of real estate closings, property tax appeals, criminal defense, expungements, and estate planning.
In 2016, she joined The Herbert Law Firm until 2019. In 2019, she practiced independently while running for the Cook County Board of (Tax) Review.
Wendt is a past president of the Southwest Bar Association, a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
*Information gathered from the Wendt campaign website. Photo first appeared in the Daily Herald.
Iris Martinez, Cook County Circuit Clerk
Cook County Circuit Clerk Iris Martinez is not only the first Latina woman to be elected Circuit Court Clerk, she’s also was the first Latina woman elected to the Illinois State Senate. Martinez was elected to the Senate in 2003. Prior to her inauguration as Circuit Clerk she served as the Chairperson of the Senate Lice
In 2004, Martinez was awarded the Hillary Clinton Leadership Award presented to an elected official by the Illinois Democratic Women's organization. Martinez is also the past President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.
Martinez is a multi-year recipient of the Illinois Farm Bureau® ACTIVATOR award, which recognizes her outstanding voting record on agricultural and small business issues.