As the Illinois State Representative for the 92nd District, Jehan Alea Gordon represents several central Illinois communities, including Peoria, Bartonville, Peoria Heights, West Peoria and communities in Limestone and Kickapoo townships. The youngest member of the Illinois House, Gordon has worked as a tireless advocate for her constituents, focusing on issues regarding the economy, education and ethics reform. She is a member of the House committees on Access to Federal Funding, Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations, Human Services Appropriations, Health and Healthcare Disparities, Infrastructure, and Veterans’ Affairs.
Although she took office in a storm of controversy regarding the former governor, Gordon has worked to restore the public’s faith in government service, helping to pass the most comprehensive set of ethics reforms in state history. She makes constituent accessibility a top priority and walks door to door talking to those she represents about the issues they want to see addressed in Springfield.
Rep. Gordon is a graduate of President Obama’s Leadership Training Program and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Political Leadership School. She entered public service by becoming an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) at Illinois Central College, where she worked with faith- and community-based groups to develop relationships and identify funding opportunities for programs benefitting local residents. While at ICC, Gordon noticed a lack of mentors in students’ lives and developed and coordinated Emerging Leaders, a program that connects students with young professionals in the area.
Rep. Gordon has been recognized as a Six Sigma Green Belt and has received several awards for her service to central Illinois: the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Peoria Christian Leadership Coalition, Boys & Girls Clubs Helping Hand Award, an Illinois State Community Service Award for more than 1,200 hours of service in one year, and the Distinguished Young Leader Award from the Young & Powerful Group, based in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Gordon passed up the opportunity to help now-President Obama get elected to the White House in order to stay closer to home and affect much-needed change in her own community. iBi
