Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson represents Illinois' First Congressional District. As the son of renowned civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, he has inherited a deep commitment to advocating for underrepresented communities. Throughout his career, Congressman Jackson has been a staunch advocate for equity and civil rights.
His dedication to social justice is evident through his role as the national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where he spotlighted issues related to innocence and juvenile justice. Congressman Jackson played a pivotal role in addressing cases of false confessions by the Chicago Police Department, including those of Darrell Cannon, Oscar Walden, and Johnnie Lee Savory. He has been involved in several significant human rights and social justice initiatives, including negotiating with Syrian President Hafez-Al-Assad for the release of American Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman and with Fidel Castro for the release of 22 Americans held in Cuba.
A strong proponent of public education, Congressman Jackson has worked tirelessly to expand educational opportunities for families of all income levels. In Chicago, he actively opposed the closure of Chicago Public Schools by leading public hearings and providing civic education to protect community schools. His efforts were instrumental in keeping Guggenheim Elementary School off the closure list in 2010 and saving other schools from similar fates.
Raised in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, Congressman Jackson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business. He has launched various businesses in telecom, distribution, and construction, and has taught finance and entrepreneurship at Chicago City Colleges and Chicago State University.
Now serving in Congress, Congressman Jackson is focused on advancing policies that promote equality and justice, improve access to quality education and healthcare, and protect the environment. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, working with his colleagues to pass impactful legislation for the people of IL-01 and the nation.