Jessica Vasquez appointed as Cook County 8th District commissioner

COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- Cook County has a new commissioner to head its 8th District.

After a public meeting Sunday, Democratic Committee People appointed Jessica Vasquez to the job.

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Vasquez is the first woman to represent the 8th District, which includes parts of the Northwest Side of Chicago. She also gives the board a female majority for the first time in its 194-year history.

"I'm deeply humbled and grateful to the Committeepeople and community members who placed their trust in me," Commissioner Vasquez said in a statement. "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. I'm committed to delivering results for 8th District families - and I'll be working every day to earn the support of voters as I seek to become the elected Democratic nominee in March 2026."

Vasquez fills the vacancy created when former commissioner Anthony Joel Quezada was appointed to the Chicago City Council as the 35th Ward alderman.

Quezada replaced 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who became head of the Chicago Park District.

Vasquez was Ramirez-Rosa's chief of staff.