Jackie Haas is the State Representative for the 79th House District, serving residents in Kankakee, Will, and Grundy Counties. She has dedicated her life to serving the most vulnerable among us.
Jackie attended St. Patrick’s Grade School in Momence and Bishop McNamara High School. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Valparaiso University. She received her Master’s degree with a specialization in mental health from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work.
For 30 years, Jackie has served her community as a social worker, focused on helping underserved populations, and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. In 1994, Jackie joined the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health and became the organizations CEO in 2000, pushing to expand health care, economic opportunity, and early childhood development throughout her community. Jackie served on the Kankakee County Board from 2018 to 2020. As CEO and county board member, Jackie has experience on both sides of government.
Jackie has deep roots in the community. She and Bill, her husband of 27 years live in Bourbonnais where they raised their two children. She continues to serve at the Helen Wheeler Center today and is actively involved in several community-based coalitions, local board of directors, and community collaborations.
As State Representative, Jackie is committed to good government reforms, a balanced budget, thriving schools, more opportunity, and expanding mental health to underserved areas.