Overview
- Garcia died on Jan. 12, 2026 at age 69, with political strategist Richard Streetman publicly confirming his death.
- Friends said he died of heart failure, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Equality Illinois, which he helped found, and PRIDE Chicago posted tributes highlighting his decades of leadership and impact.
- He was central to winning Chicago’s 1988 Human Rights Ordinance, Cook County’s 1993 protections, Illinois’ 2005 anti-discrimination law, and advocacy for the 2013 marriage equality law.
- Garcia co-founded the Illinois Federation for Human Rights (later Equality Illinois), served as its public policy director until 2010, joined The Civil Rights Agenda in 2012, and memorial details are pending.