Biography
Jonathan L. Jackson, born on January 7, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Illinois' 1st Congressional District since January 3, 2023. He is the son of civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, and the brother of former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.
Before his congressional tenure, Jackson was the national spokesperson for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where he advocated for juvenile justice and addressed wrongful conviction cases involving the Chicago Police Department. He played a role in high-profile human rights cases, including negotiations for the release of American Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman from Syria and 22 Americans held in Cuba.
Jackson has also been active in education advocacy, notably opposing the closure of Chicago Public Schools. His efforts contributed to Guggenheim Elementary School being removed from the closure list in 2010.
Education
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Bachelor of Science in Business: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1988
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Master of Business Administration: Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, 1991
Political Experience
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U.S. Representative for Illinois' 1st Congressional District: 2023–present
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Committee Assignments:
- House Committee on Agriculture
- Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development
- Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Africa
- Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
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Caucus Memberships:
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
- Congressional Heartland Caucus
- Congressional Labor Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
Jackson's legislative priorities include promoting equality and justice, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and protecting the environment.
