Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Jackson was born on March 11, 1965, in Greenville, South Carolina. Jackson graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1987, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. Three years later, he earned a Master of Arts degree in theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary, and in 1993, received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.[6]

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteJackson's campaign website stated the following:A VISIONARY ECONOMIC PLANJesse Jackson Jr. represented Illinois' Second Congressional District for 17 years and served as a Member of the powerful Appropriations Committee. Political and business leaders who drafted him to enter the race know the former congressman would use his considerable knowledge, intellect and experience to help improve quality of life across the District. Jesse Jackson Jr. was considered one of the hardest-working and most effective members of Congress. He never missed a vote and he delivered nearly a billion dollars in federal grants and appropriations to the District.At this critical time, when political chaos is hurting Americans and jobs are being lost, we need a proven fighter in Congress who has the experience and skill to get things done. No other candidate in the race can match Jesse Jackson Jr.'s track record of results.Jesse Jackson Jr. championed building a third full-service airport in the Chicago Southland that would create thousands of new jobs, stimulate economic development, and lift every community in the District. His economic plan to connect the District to the global economy would advance construction of the airport, address access and affordability, and create unprecedented opportunity.During his 17 years of service to the people of Illinois' Second Congressional District, Jesse Jackson Jr. led the effort to establish a third regional airport in the Southland. His economic plan to connect the District to the global economy represents a visionary approach to job creation, higher wages, and development in every community.Jesse Jackson Jr. worked with four Illinois governors to purchase the land that comprises the inaugural footprint of the third airport, now in the middle of the District. He was the first to envision and initiate a Public Private Partnership to advance the project.Jesse Jackson Jr. navigated political and bureaucratic hurdles to advance his plan for the third airport. His effectiveness against all odds brought the third airport to a crucial threshold, ready for construction and poised to bring thousands of new jobs.Jesse Jackson Jr. believes that every person should have the ability to earn a good wage and get ahead. He will work to create more opportunities for residents across the District.Jesse Jackson Jr. says we must find ways to lower prices and make life in America more affordable because many families are hard-pressed to keep up with rising costs of gas, groceries, healthcare, childcare, and housing. He is committed to reducing inflation.Jesse Jackson Jr. will work to provide more job training in high-demand areas, particularly in technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, hospitality, retail, and the skilled trades experiencing growth and bring more of those opportunities to the District.Jesse Jackson Jr. will fight for higher wages and new jobs to the Second Congressional District. He says we must bridge the digital divide so everyone, including those in rural and unincorporated areas, have full connectivity and access to the Internet.Jesse Jackson Jr. believes small and minority businesses deserve more support and will work with Second District residents to assist them in obtaining SBA loans and access to capital. He is an advocate of entrepreneurs and will work to provide them with resources.Jesse Jackson Jr. will work to advance equity in lending and will facilitate meetings with banks and financial institutions to discuss credit and loan practices. He will provide a staff resource to assist District residents in obtaining loans and funding.Jesse Jackson Jr. will lead creation of workforce development programs in collaboration with junior colleges, colleges, and universities to train workers in high-demand areas and help provide young people with the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy.Jesse Jackson Jr. supports working people and will fight to protect the right to collective bargaining when workers choose to organize and voice their workplace concerns and goals.Jesse Jackson Jr. will encourage policies that promote public-private partnerships with business and industry to develop programs that promote innovation in job creation and enhance job-readiness in urban, rural, and suburban areas.Jesse Jackson Jr. will support paid parental leave and expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare so women and men can affordably care for their children will advancing their careers. He will work to remove barriers keeping women out of the workforce.Jesse Jackson Jr. will work to support growth and expansion for companies who exist in and have invested in the 2nd Congressional District. He will also recruit more businesses to the District to create jobs and boost tax revenues.Jesse Jackson Jr. supports the expansion of broadband and Internet services throughout the Second Congressional District, especially in rural areas. This is necessary for businesses, healthcare, and educational institutions, which rely on connectivity to function.Jesse Jackson Jr. will work to develop a framework to responsibly address reasonable regulation for cryptocurrency to protect consumers and investors.INVESTING IN EDUCATIONEducation is key to a robust economic future for the District and a centerpiece of Jesse's visionary plan. He will work to improve every level of public education. Jesse knows we must increase teacher salaries and provide a more supportive school environment with deeper resources for students, parents and teachers. Jesse was known as one of education's most dedicated advocates during his 17 years in Congress. He will prioritize addressing teacher shortages and providing more support to help teachers succeed.Jesse Jackson Jr. would make improving public education at all levels a top priority. He says we must improve the education of our youth by addressing key areas like classroom size and tutoring. He will work to increase teacher salaries and provide more professional development opportunities for teachers.Jesse Jackson Jr. knows we must work to have a better school environment for students and teachers. Illinois has implemented initiatives like the Teacher Vacancy Grant to address teacher shortages and offers resources for professional development and grant opportunities.He will focus on creating a positive school culture that values teachers and students and provides them with opportunities for growth and development. Jesse Jackson Jr. will ensure that every student in the Second Congressional District has access to a quality education and schools equipped with the modernized infrastructure and technology required to succeed.Jesse Jackson Jr. will prioritize restoration of the U.S. Department of Education and the resources it provides, especially for schools in underserved urban and rural communities.Jesse Jackson Jr. will work hard to increase federal funding for school modernization to upgrade and renovate facilities. He deeply believes every student should have opportunity to attend a school with modern technology and access to a good education.Jesse Jackson Jr. emphasizes the importance of increasing access to mental health services in schools by having more mental health medical professionals, counselors and resources.BUILDING SAFER, STRONGER COMMUNITIESJesse Jackson Jr. will work to transform the economy across the District so every person has the opportunity to grow, thrive and have their constitutional rights protected. His goal is for every community and every person in the District to feel safe. He knows safer communities are essential for a better quality of life across the District. That's why he would work to address gun violence, reduce crime, and make our streets safer.Jesse Jackson Jr. prioritizes public safety and would work with leaders across the Second Congressional District to create communities where people feel safe enough to walk without fear. He would work to get guns off our streets and make our neighborhoods safer.Across the District, disparities exist in education, healthcare, and income. Jesse Jackson Jr. has a visionary economic plan to connect Illinois' Second Congressional District to the global economy. He has already advanced this project against all odds. Jesse worked with four governors to buy the land for a third regional airport, ready for construction just as O'Hare and Midway reach capacity.Over his 17 year congressional career, Jesse Jackson Jr. was one of the most effective members of Congress who never missed a vote and brought back nearly a billion in federal grants to build and benefit the District. He knows that robust economic growth with more jobs and higher wages is the most effective path to better public safety.Jesse Jackson Jr. would work with law enforcement, elected officials, and residents to make our communities safer. He would assemble influential coalitions to advance sensible criminal justice and prison reform. He would be a fierce advocate for more job placement and training resources to help returning citizens rejoin society and contribute to their communities.Jesse Jackson Jr. has consistently supported legislation to remove the check box that asks if job applicants have a criminal record.Jesse Jackson Jr. knows community safety is closely tied to a stronger local economy, police and community relations. He would work with community leaders across the District to ensure they have adequate first responder resources and police protection.Jesse Jackson Jr. is a generational fighter for voting rights and, from a young age, worked with his father the Reverend Jesse Jackson, to advance civil rights. He will fight to ensure every person in the District has the right to vote without interference.HEALTHCARE IS A PRIORITYRecently passed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) threaten to take healthcare and food benefits from thousands of Illinoisians. Hospitals dependent on Medicaid will be forced to reduce services or close entirely. Jesse Jackson Jr. would fight these cuts. Beyond restoring healthcare and food benefits, Jesse will work with urgency to address the maternal care shortage crisis, create more resources for caregivers, and expand access to care for mental health.The One Big Brutal Bill passed this summer will rip Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) from thousands of residents across Illinois' Second Congressional District. Millions will lose their health coverage, and hospitals dependent on Medicaid may be forced to close.Jesse Jackson Jr. is prepared to fight these cuts and would push Congress to restore life-saving benefits.Residents in rural areas in the District should not be expected to drive more than 30 minutes to an hour to the nearest emergency room or 24-hour urgent care facility. Mothers cannot afford long commutes to a labor and delivery unit amid a surging shortage crisis in maternal care resources.In Congress, Jesse Jackson Jr. was effective in expanding access to healthcare. He will work to:Strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including restoring federal subsidies and ensuring that every person in Illinois can get access to primary care and an annual checkup.Advocate for policies that prioritize healthcare accessibility, affordability and quality of care with a focus on addressing disparities in underserved communities.Expand healthcare networks, increase funding for community health centers and foster partnerships with reputable healthcare companies capable of delivering quality, affordable healthcare to the Second Congressional District so that the care we deserve is available on time, every time.Champion expanded access and coverage for mental health resources, including federal funding for community health centers and crisis intervention programs. Support legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for mental health services.Be a fierce advocate to address the maternal health crisis for all and address the disproportionate impact on rural communities and Black and Hispanic mothers and infants.Protect reproductive rights and a woman’s right to choose to ensure every patient can make their own healthcare decisions, on their own, for their own well-being.Build out healthcare networks in rural communities through grants that leverage partnerships with our community colleges and existing healthcare providers to reach more people.— Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.'s campaign website (December 1, 2025)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.