twice; his first wife was Jeryl Minow, with whom he had three daughters. He is currently married to Sunny Penedo Chico, who has a son and daughter from a previous marriage. A former U.S. Department of Education employee, Sunny runs a consulting firm that focuses on, among others, tutoring services and curriculum advice. Legal career Chico began working as an associate of the Chicago-based law firm Sidley Austin in 1987, and served as General Counsel to the Chicago Development Council, a real estate development association. He left the firm in 1991 to become the Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley, but he later returned as partner in 1995 and 1996, leading the firm's practice related to state and local government. In 1996, Chico left Sidley & Austin to become a senior partner of Altheimer & Gray. Oscar D’Angelo, a friend of Daley and a former Altheimer partner, suggested to the firm’s managing partner that the firm hire Chico. In 2000, just four years later, at age 44, Chico became chairman of Altheimer. In 2002, the firm gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Governor Rod Blagojevich and Attorney General Lisa Madigan's campaigns. In 2003, while Chico was chairman and simultaneously running for the US Senate, Altheimer became insolvent and dissolved. Some partners blamed the bankruptcy on poor management by Chico, while an attorney who sat on two financial committees blamed an economic downturn. Chico also served as Special Counsel to Arnstein & Lehr in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, Chico, along with Planning Department colleague Marcus Nunes, formed the general practice law firm Chico & Nunes, which lobbies for clients seeking government business. Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley In 1991, Chico was a Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley. He coordinated efforts to drain freight tunnels that were flooded with water from the Chicago River. Chico was later promoted to Chief of Staff, a position he held from 1992 to 1995. As part of his duties, he oversaw the completion of the International Terminal of O'Hare International Airport, preparations for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and the construction of new schools. Along with Budget Director Paul Vallas, Chico helped add 1,000 officers to the police force and improved neighborhoods throughout the city through a program called Neighborhoods Alive. Chicago Public Schools board In 1995, the Illinois state legislature passed the