RUN FOR SOMETHING: Jessica Vasquez for Cook County Commissioner, District 8
Jessica Vasquez has devoted her career to advancing equity in Cook County through public service, grassroots advocacy, and transformative policy work. Born and raised on the northwest side in Belmont Cragin, she was appointed 8th District Cook County Commissioner on May 4, 2025. She is the first woman to represent the 8th district of Cook County and the first Colombian American to hold public office in the state of Illinois.
Prior to serving the 8th District, Jessica served as the Chief of Staff for former 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. During her time as Chief of Staff, Jessica helped coordinate efforts to win Lucy Gonzalez-Parsons, a 100-unit, 100% affordable housing development in the heart of Logan Square. She was also instrumental in managing and leading the 35th Ward’s $1.5 million public infrastructure investments through a participatory budgeting process, which included playground improvements for Nixon Elementary in Hermosa, investments in Athletic Field Park’s baseball diamonds in Irving Park, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in Logan Square and Avondale. She oversaw efforts to hold negligent landlords accountable and worked closely with various city departments and city leadership on special projects such as the Centennial Redesign in Logan Square, the First Nations Garden in Albany Park, and the rededication of Fireman’s Park Mural in Avondale.
Prior to her government work, Jessica worked in education at Adler University, where she oversaw nonprofit partnerships and community engagement with graduate students. She has also worked at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and People’s Action Institute to support immigration reform and economic justice efforts at the state and national levels.
As Cook County Commissioner, Jessica is focused on protecting healthcare access for Cook County Health, Hospitals & Clinics, providing support for property tax relief through appeals and advocacy, and making Cook County resources more accessible for our residents.
Jessica earned a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University and an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. She resides in Logan Square with her partner and rescue cat.
https://www.vasquezforcookcounty.org