Connecting Policy to People: CEO Students Visit State Representative Jackie Haas

Kankakee County CEO students had the opportunity to visit with State Representative Jackie Haas, where we were warmly welcomed by her and her team, Alexia and Jessica. It was an insightful experience that gave students a firsthand look at leadership and service in our community.

Representative Haas shared about her role as a state representative, serving approximately 102,000-103,000 constituents, and spoke about her background in social work and deep roots in the community. Students learned how her office stays connected to the people she serves through advisory groups focused on key issues such as public safety, education, and business.

She also highlighted several recent and upcoming community initiatives, including Drug Take-Back Day, an annual job fair, and EPA Hazardous Waste Disposal events. These efforts reflect her office’s commitment to improving quality of life and addressing real needs within the district.

One of the most meaningful takeaways for students was hearing that her favorite part of the job is working with a wide range of people and problem-solving to help others. That message strongly aligns with the values we emphasize in the CEO program.

Thank you to Representative Haas and her team for taking the time to meet with our students and for your continued support of this program. Experiences like this help bring learning to life and show our students the many ways they can make an impact in their own communities.