Peter Gutzmer, a lifelong resident of the northwest suburbs, is a graduate of John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, and James Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, with a degree in music education.

He and his wife Nelly live in Hoffman Estates with their two children, Adelle and Ethan. Peter has been a firefighter/paramedic in Elk Grove Village for the past 17 years.

As a firefighter, Peter has worked extensively with legislators in Springfield and Washington D.C. on legislation helping to protect firefighters while on the job, their families in case of accidents, public safety regarding hazourdous materials transportation, and eliminating nepotism and cronyism from promotion practices in Illinois.