Pete Kalenik

Pete serves as a Patrolman and Field Training Officer in the Chicago Police Department. As a Patrolman, he is responsible for safeguarding the city's Little Village and North Lawndale communities. As a Field Training Officer, he teaches and mentors junior officers in Chicago's most violent "police beat." He was named the "Most Outstanding Recruit" at the Chicago Police Academy. His work has been recognized for addressing crime surrounding vacant housing. He is also a spokesperson for Chicago's community-policing program and serves on the city's Crisis Intervention Team.

Pete is a Lieutenant in the Illinois Army National Guard. He originally enlisted as an active-duty paratrooper with the Army's Chaplain Corps, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, under the National Call to Service program. Prior to earning his commission, Pete served as a Staff Sergeant and a Civil Affairs Team Leader in the Army Reserve.

Pete served as a middle school teacher at Visitation Catholic School. In return for only $5 per day in spending money, he dedicated himself to creating an inquiry-based science curriculum. He also served as a youth football coach at the Chicago Park District's O'Hallaren Park and volunteered as an assistant basketball coach at The Faith Community of St. Sabina. As an AmeriCorps educator, he was a resident of the city's Fuller Park community.

Pete earned advanced degrees in law and public policy from Loyola University Chicago. As a student, he served as an extern in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He also learned trial advocacy skills from United States District Court Judge Virginia MKendall.

As a community leader, Pete volunteered as a Street Law mentor and taught basic legal principles to students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools. He was also named to the Dean's List at Loyola University Chicago's School of Law.

Pete enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago as a beneficiary of the Illinois Veteran Grant. His graduate thesis was entitled: "Municipal Contracting for Social Impact: Leave No Veteran Behind, Chicago Public Schools, and Safe Passage."

Pete enrolled at Northwestern University as a beneficiary of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. His graduate thesis was entitled: "Holistic School Reform: Understanding the Potential of Chicago's Local School Councils."

Pete enrolled at the University of Chicago as a transfer student from Concordia University Chicago. As an undergraduate, he studied abroad in Rome, Italy (2005) and Paris, France (2007). His senior thesis was entitled: "The Congressional Franking Privilege: A History of Incumbent Advantage."

Pete is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools. He was a captain on Lane Tech's varsity football team and was a baseball letterman.