After being admitted to the Illinois Bar and establishing a general law practice in 1979, devoted public servant Richard F. Pellegrino was admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Two years later, he was admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and, the following year, to the United States Supreme Court.

Upon receiving an honorable discharge as sergeant, E-5, and a commendation medal for meritorious service in Vietnam from the U.S. Army in 1972, Richard pursued studies in Political Science and Government at Loyola University of Chicago, where he received a B.A. in 1975, and ten years later, a Master's Degree. Richard's Juris Doctor degree was received in 1978 from Washburn University School of Law, the oldest law school west of the Mississippi, located in Topeka, Kansas.

Richard Pellegrino's extensive public service includes serving as Commissioner, Cook County Sheriff's Police and Corrections Merit Board (4 years); Commissioner, Illinois Supreme Court ARDC Inquiry Board; Advisory Member, Triton College's nine-person finance committee; Prosecutor, Illinois Secretary of State; and member, Legislative and Executive Committees, west central municipal conference. Richard is past president of the 37 municipalities which comprise the conference.

Today, the former Commissioner of Planning and Zoning (1992-1996) and Trustee (1997) of the Village of Indian Head Park holds the position of Mayor of the western suburb, to which he was elected in 1999.