Meet Our Team

Jessica Vasquez has dedicated her career to advancing equity across Cook County through public service, grassroots advocacy, and transformative policy work. A proud daughter of Colombian immigrants, Jessica was born and raised in Belmont Cragin on Chicago’s Northwest Side. On May 4, 2025, she was appointed Cook County Commissioner for the 8th District, becoming both the first woman to represent the 8th District and the first Colombian American to hold public office in Illinois.

Before her appointment, Jessica served as Chief of Staff to former 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. In that role, she led efforts to secure key community investments, including the development of Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments, a 100-unit, 100% affordable housing project in Logan Square. She also directed the 35th Ward’s $1.5 million participatory budgeting process, which funded infrastructure improvements like the renovated playground at Nixon Elementary in Hermosa, upgraded baseball diamonds at Athletic Field Park in Irving Park, and pedestrian-friendly enhancements across Logan Square and Avondale.

Jessica championed tenant rights by holding negligent landlords accountable and collaborated with city agencies and community stakeholders on major neighborhood projects such as the Centennial Redesign in Logan Square, the First Nations Garden in Albany Park, and the rededication of the Fireman’s Park Mural in Avondale. Her background also includes work in higher education at Adler University, where she managed nonprofit partnerships and community engagement for graduate students. Prior to her work with the City, she worked in higher education at Adler University, where she managed nonprofit partnerships and community engagement for 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 expanding healthcare access through Cook County Health, supporting property tax relief through appeals and policy advocacy, and ensuring County resources are more accessible to working families.

Jessica holds a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University and an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. She lives in Logan Square with her partner and their rescue cat.