About Fred
Fred Crespo was born to immigrant parents and grew up understanding the value of hard work, education, and community. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, he later attended Chicago Kent College of Law and spent more than two decades at Peoples Energy from 1979 to 2003. He also holds an Illinois real-estate broker license.
Fred and his wife have been married for more than thirty years. They raised two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie, in the 44th District — the same neighborhoods Fred now represents in Springfield.
Record in the House
Since taking office in 2006, Fred has built a record around three themes: accountable budgeting, strong public schools, and constituent services that actually answer the phone. He authored the Grant Accountability & Transparency Act, pushed for audit-based appropriations, and helped end the controversial legislative scholarship program.
On the local front, Fred negotiated with IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, and the Governor's office to complete the I-90 / Barrington Road interchange in 2016 — and he partnered with Harper College, Elgin Community College, and the Village of Hanover Park to establish a Work & Education Center in 2014 offering ESL, adult education, GED, and job training.