Jessie Fuentes
1746 N Kimball Ave, Chicago IL 60647
Committees:
Candidate Recruitment and Evaluation (Pre-Slating), Finance, Policy, Supreme Court Selection
Biography:
Jessie Fuentes, a queer Latina grassroots organizer, educator, and public policy advocate. As the Alderperson and Committeeperson of the 26th Ward, she brings over a decade of experience in education, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, community development, and sustainability. Jessie received her Bachelors in Justice Studies and her Masters in Community and Teacher Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Jessie served as the Dean of Students of both Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican Hugh School, ensuring Black and Latine students had the resources to transcend trauma and pursue their aspirations. As Director of Policy and Youth Advocacy at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, she championed community-driven solutions that address violence, housing affordability, and re-entry for returning citizens. As the proud Alderperson of the 26th Ward, she has led legislative accomplishments, including sponsoring the resolution for the national fight for parole in place for the 11 million undocumented workers in the United States, the One Fair Wage ordinance to eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, and, most recently, the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance to protect communities from gentrification. She is currently working on developing a city-wide youth Peace Commission through the Peace Book Ordinance and establishing stronger networks of support for unhoused residents.