New Plainfield Park District Employee Is Also A New U.S. Citizen

PLAINFIELD, IL — On July 22, a year after he started the process, Plainfield Park District employee Carlos Proanio Rodriguez became a U.S. citizen. Proanio Rodriguez, who joined the Park District in June as part of its maintenance crew, said that he did it to strengthen his commitment to his new life with his wife and son here in America.

“We established our life here,” he said noting that his son, Elias, was born in December last year.

Proanio Rodriguez first came to the U.S. on a visa with the intent of marrying his then-fiancé Emily in 2013. The couple met in 2009 while she was a college student and they both were volunteers for a non-profit organization in his native country of Ecuador.

Under U.S. naturalization rules, he was allowed to apply to become a citizen after three years. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

During the past year he had to learn all he could about U.S. history, civics, and culture— knowledge that residents gather over a life time of education—from why the flag has 50 stars and 13 stripes to the number of amendments made to the Constitution.

He said that in addition to being motivated to bring stability to his family, he also wants to take part in the democratic process and is looking forward to voting.

“I would really like to be involved,” he said, “I want to have a say in choosing my representatives in government.”

Originally from a town called Banos de Agua Santa (Bath of Holy Water), Proanio Rodriguez said that he worked as a jungle tour guide in his native country before moving to the U.S. and has worked at neighboring park districts and forest preserves before landing a job with the Plainfield Park District.

He said that he and his wife Emily, a Naperville native, are also looking forward to taking their son to meet his Ecuadorian family for the first time in December.

“I’m very happy in my new home,” he said, adding that he wants his son to know his family there as well.

On the job in the Plainfield Park District, he said that he’s enjoyed the opportunity to keep the parks in top shape and interacting with residents he meets.

“I like talking to the residents and getting to know their concerns,” he said, “They’re grateful for the work that we do, making sure that the parks are clean and ready to go.”

Photos: Plainfield Park District maintenance crew member Carlos Proanio Rodriguez recently took the oath to become a new U.S. citizen.

Article and photos via Plainfield Park District