Aaron Ortiz was born and lives in Gage Park, Illinois. He graduated from Brother Rice High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ortiz's career experience includes working as a college counselor at Back of the Yards High School. He volunteered with Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's 2015 mayoral campaign in Chicago. Ortiz is a member of the Chicago Teachers Union.