Jesus Garcia

Jesus Garcia was born in Durango, Mexico, in 1956. He earned a B.S. in political science in 1999 and an M.S. in urban planning from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 2002.[1] His work experience includes work as the founding executive director of the community development organization Enlace Chicago and service as the founding chair of the board for Latino Policy forum and as a member of the boards of Woods Fund Chicago and The Center on Leadership Innovation.[2] He served on the Chicago City Council from 1986 to 1992, as a member of the Illinois Senate from 1993 to 1999, and as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 2010 to 2018.[1]

Jesus Garcia did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Jesus Garcia did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Jesus Garcia did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Jesus Garcia did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Jesus Garcia did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

On his 2015 mayoral campaign website, Garcia highlighted the following issues:[22]

Education

Excerpt: “My program involves giving the school system back to the people through an elected school board; reducing to the barest legal minimum the plethora of high-stakes, standardized tests by which we falsely judge schools, students, and teachers; placing a moratorium on further charter schools; expanding public education to include pre-kindergarten and even earlier; and reducing class size, which is one of the largest in the state.”

Crime and safety

Excerpt: “Persistent criminal violence in many forms is real and we need to address it. There is also interpersonal violence. Too many arguments have turned deadly because guns are so abundant. I will keep the promise Mayor Emanuel broke – the promise to put 1,000 new police officers on the street. Without those officers, we will never be able to end the heartbreaking violence that has taken the lives of so many of our children. However, any approach to the crime problem must be multi-faceted. We need fewer guns, more ways to peacefully resolve conflicts, and job opportunities that offer alternatives to criminal activity.”

Affordable housing

Excerpt: “No one should be without shelter or unable to afford their housing. At a basic level, our home should be decent, safe and sanitary, but where we live also determines whether we have access to good jobs, quality schools, healthy food, public transportation, and other amenities. In Chicago today, not all neighborhoods offer the same options. The City has a responsibility –as do all levels of government– to respond when the market fails to provide housing for all its residents. Our approach should link housing with transportation, economic development, education, health and the environment. It should be inclusive and transparent.”

Transportation

Excerpt: “I will adopt transit-oriented development as the preferred development pattern for Chicago and champion innovative ideas for financing and expanding the city’s public transit system including the development of public partnerships and partnering with Cook County and other counties to secure a regular and sufficient revenue stream for the stable funding and development of the regional transit system.”

School Board

Excerpt: “School systems are perhaps the main governmental bodies touching the lives of a majority of our citizens. That's why I believe an elected school board is a constitutional right. Therefore, one of my first acts as mayor will be to go to Springfield and ask the legislature to revoke the mayoral control legislation and let Chicago take its place with the rest of Illinois by having an elected board. Lacking action in the legislature, I will file a federal voting-rights lawsuit based on the Constitution and civil rights laws.”

Health

Excerpt: “Many factors contribute to the health of communities and government plays an important role in creating policies and structures that shape the health, social, and economic well-being of its people. Together with community-based organizations, communities of Faith, business and educational institutions, and committed Chicagoans, I will work to build strong, resilient, and powerful communities to challenge the inequalities that underlie health disparities. “

TIF reform

Excerpt: “Absent specific and publically [sic] supported plans, districts will be closed and excess TIF funds should be returned to the tax base of the schools and other taxing bodies on an annual basis, and used to pay down existing pension debt and increase the respective budgets. This would reduce the property tax rate, which would reduce the burden on individual taxpayers.”

Immigration

Excerpt: “I envision a city that works hard to make sure that every resident feels included. Whether they are from Michigan or Michoacán, everyone who chooses to make this city their home should have access to the same benefits and protections as every other Chicago resident. I believe that it's crucial for the city of Chicago to have policies in place that address the needs of immigrant communities, encourage entrepreneurship, and protect immigrant families.”

Veterans

Excerpt: “As Mayor, I will declare Chicago a “Veteran Enriched City” and commit to ensuring that there are qualified veterans in the senior leadership of city agencies, including my own office, to reflect the diverse makeup of our city.”

Women’s rights

Excerpt: “I am proud to count myself among feminists who understand the vital role of women in homes, workplaces, and society at large. As Mayor, I will continue to advocate for policies that promote wellbeing and success for women.”