Fernando Grillo

Fernando E. Grillo returned to Estrada Hinojosa in 2010 after starting his career in 1994. Mr. Grillo was formerly the head of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; and then promoted to Secretary of the newly created umbrella agency in March of 2004. In his role as Secretary, he led the consolidation of the former Departments of Banks and Real Estate, Financial Institutions, Insurance and Professional Regulation that resulted in $14 million in yearly savings to taxpayers. During his tenure, Mr. Grillo was involved in many major initiatives including medical malpractice reform, the pharmacy rule on emergency contraception, the I-Save Rx program, the banning of Toughman competitions in Illinois, and chaired the Governor’s working group that resulted in legislation to regulate and bring serious reform to the payday lending industry. He received high marks from citizens, consumer groups, and legislators for transforming the agency from a licensing, regulatory agency to a consumer protection agency and from business leaders and professional associations for being a reasonable regulator. From 1995 to 1999 and then again from 2005 to 2010, he worked for New York based Ramirez & Co., Inc.

Mr. Grillo is an attorney licensed in the State of Illinois and the US District Court Northern District of Illinois. His practice specialized in regulatory, municipal, election, administrative, and real estate law. In 2000, Mr. Grillo, co-founded Alianza Capital Corporation with Mr. Paul Labadie, a Puerto Rican economist and financial consultant, to represent JP Morgan and other financial firms and to act as their strategic partner in business development in Puerto Rico. Alianza Capital Corporation served as financial advisor- and management consultant to various municipalities.

Mr. Grillo is a charter member, past officer and board member of the Illinois Puerto Rican Bar Association. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASPIRA Inc. of Illinois and member of the Boards of Directors of the Advocate Illinois Masonic Charitable Foundation, and Hispanocare. He is a past member of the Illinois Supreme Court Character and Fitness Committee and the Board of Directors of Family Focus, and the Latino Technology Association.