Politics
Jessica Vasquez Picked to Fill Vacant 8th District Cook County Board Seat
The Cook County building is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
A former aide to Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa will replace Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th Ward) on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Northwest Side Democratic Party leaders decided Sunday.
Jessica Vasquez, who served as Ramirez-Rosa’s chief of staff when he represented the 35th Ward on the Chicago City Council, will replace Quezada, who was tapped to take Ramirez-Rosa’s seat by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Vasquez will serve the 18 months remaining in Quezada’s term and said in a statement she plans to run for a full four-year term in 2026.
“As someone born and raised in this district, I carry with me the hopes and struggles of the 8th District’s working families who deserve compassionate and responsive leadership,” said Vasquez, who was born in Belmont-Cragin to parents who immigrated from Colombia and now lives in Logan Square.
Vasquez also worked with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and helped convince the City Council to require all Chicago businesses to pay their workers the same minimum hourly wage, regardless of whether they earn tips, by July 2028,
Vasquez is the first woman to represent the 8th District on the Cook County Board, which includes parts of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, Hermosa, Bucktown, Belmont Gardens, Avondale, Old Irving Park, Kilbourn Park, Belmont Craigin, Belmont Central, Schorsch Village, Montclare, Portage Park, Hanson Park and West Humboldt Park.
For the first time in its history, the Cook County Board is made up of a majority of women.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
