Simon is a son of immigrant parents from Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, born and raised in Aurora, IL. Simon attended Archbishop Romero Catholic School, a 2005 graduate of East Aurora High School, 2011 graduate of Waubonsee Community College, 2013 honors graduate of Illinois State University, a Fulbright scholarship recipient, has lived in Mexico and England, and taught bilingual social studies at East Aurora High School for over 4 years.
Simon is the current Youth Services Manager for the City of Aurora, where he coordinates and works with various community partners to bring various programs to all the youth of Aurora, including summer camps, after-school programs, the annual Sports Festival, Youth Resource Fairs, City of Lights tournaments, Youth Court program, the Aurora STEAM Academy, Back to School Fairs, the Aurora Youth Council, mentorship programs, and more. Simon took the first group of Illinois high school students on a cultural exchange to Cuba in 2017, followed by a study-abroad experience to Spain & Italy in 2019.
Simon is also active in his community: a proud member of the League of United Latin American Council (LULAC), former President of the Illinois State Latinx Alumni Network, member of New England Congregation Church in Aurora, mentor for WCC’s CAMINOS program, member of the Kiwanis Club Aurora, US Army National Guard veteran, and a precinct committeeman for his ward. Simon lives in Aurora with his beautiful wife, Thaise, and their amazing son, Simon Gabriel.
Simon believes the more we invest in our youth, the better the future of our city will be.