OrtĂz is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 1st district.
The 1st district, located in the Chicagoland area, includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Archer Heights, Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, Marquette Park, and West Elsdon, as well as parts of Stickney.OrtĂz defeated Daniel J.
Burke in the 2018 Democratic primary as part of a slate of Latino candidates backed by then-Cook County Commissioner and congressional candidate Chuy GarcĂa.
He was sworn into office January 9, 2019.Prior to his election to the Illinois House of Representatives, OrtĂz was a teacher and college counselor at Back of the Yards High School.