Illinois 1st Congressional District

Je'Rico Brown for Congress

Time for
Real
Change.

"A Voice for Our Community."

Our district faces real challenges — from economic inequality to public safety. These are not abstract issues. They are the lived reality of 735,000 of our neighbors. Together, we can change this.

Je'Rico J. Brown — Chicago Lakefront

Candidate

Je'Rico J. Brown

Illinois 1st Congressional District

US House · 2026
735,259
District Population
17.1%
Poverty Rate (vs. IL avg 11.6%)
$69,490
Median Household Income
◆ 17.1% Poverty Rate◆ 22x Gun Violence Disparity◆ $5B School Funding Gap◆ 6.5% Uninsured◆ 35-Min Daily Commute◆ 39% Earn Under $50K◆ CTA Rail Cut 22%◆ 44.9% Rise in Shooting Lethality

Illinois Primary Election

March 17, 2026 — Time Is Running Out

13
Days
12
Hours
09
Mins
41
Secs
Donate Before It's Too Late
Campaign Fundraising Goal

Help Us Reach $75,000 by March 31

$25,000raised of $75,000
$0
33% funded · Deadline March 31, 2026
$75,000
Donate Now — Every Dollar CountsPaid for by Je'Rico Brown for Congress · IL-01 · 2026

Illinois Primary — March 17, 2026

Are You Registered to Vote?

Every vote counts in IL-01. Check your registration status or register today — it only takes 2 minutes.

Illinois voter registration deadline: 28 days before the election (Feb 17, 2026 for in-person; online registration available up to 16 days before)

Campaign Ad Gallery

Five data-driven Instagram ad variations for the Illinois 1st Congressional District campaign. Each ad addresses a critical issue facing our community, backed by real statistics and a unifying call to action.

Our Communities Deserve Safety
Public Safety

Our Communities Deserve Safety

22xTimes more likely Black residents are killed by gun violence
44.9%Increase in shooting lethality since 2010
480%Increase in high-capacity magazines recovered since 2010
An Economy That Works for All of Us
Economic Justice

An Economy That Works for All of Us

17.1%IL-01 Poverty Rate
39%Households earning under $50K/year
$69,490Median Household Income (vs. IL avg $83,211)
Our Children Deserve Better
Education

Our Children Deserve Better

$5BIllinois school funding shortfall
24IL schools where zero children read at grade level
8%IL-01 residents with no academic degree
Healthcare Is a Right, Not a Privilege
Healthcare

Healthcare Is a Right, Not a Privilege

6.5%IL-01 residents without health coverage
1 in 4Americans who are underinsured
26MAmericans with no insurance at all
Rebuilding Our District, Together
Infrastructure

Rebuilding Our District, Together

35 minIL-01 average daily commute (25% above state avg)
22%CTA rail service cuts
D+US road infrastructure grade from civil engineers

District Data Dashboard

Interactive charts powered by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 data, University of Chicago Crime Lab, and Illinois policy research. Explore the numbers that define our district's challenges.

Poverty Rate Comparison

IL-01 vs. Illinois vs. US Average

IL-01 DistrictIllinois AvgUS Average0%6%12%22%

Household Income Distribution

IL-01 — 39% earn under $50K/year

Under $50K$50K–$100K$100K–$200KOver $200K0%15%30%50%
Je'Rico J. Brown — Illinois 1st Congressional District
"

No matter what, We ARE AMERICA. When challenges arise, our strength is found in unity.

— Je'Rico J. Brown

15+YRS

Meet the Candidate

Je'Rico J.
Brown

Illinois 1st Congressional District · US House 2026

Je'Rico J. Brown is a lifelong community advocate rooted in the heart of Chicago's South Side. For over 15 years, he has dedicated himself to the people of the Illinois 1st Congressional District — organizing neighbors, fighting for equitable resources, and building coalitions that cross every boundary of race, class, and zip code.

Raised in a community that taught him the meaning of resilience, Je'Rico witnessed firsthand the consequences of underfunded schools, unaffordable housing, and a system that too often turns its back on working families. Rather than accept those conditions, he chose to fight — block by block, family by family.

His campaign for Congress is the natural extension of that work. Je'Rico believes that real change comes not from the top down, but from neighbors supporting neighbors — communities lifting each other up and demanding leaders who listen and act. In Congress, he will be that leader for every one of the 735,000 people of IL-01.

"By joining forces, we can overcome any obstacle and build a brighter future for every family in Illinois. Together, we are unstoppable."

Community Organizer

15+ years serving IL-01

Housing Advocate

Fighting for affordable homes

Education Champion

Every child deserves a chance

Economic Justice

Fair wages for all workers

Je'Rico's Policy Positions

"The challenges facing Illinois families are real, but so is our resolve to tackle them head-on. Every person deserves a fair shot at a better life."

Issue 01

Affordable Housing

"Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. I'm fighting to make affordable housing a reality in every neighborhood by expanding access, investing in new developments, and protecting families from rising costs. Together, we can end housing insecurity and build stronger, more vibrant communities across Illinois."

Expand AccessNew DevelopmentsProtect Families

Why It Matters — IL-01

39%of households earn under $50K/year
$256,900median property value — out of reach for many
17.1%poverty rate, nearly 1.5x the state average

Why It Matters — IL-01

$69,490median household income vs. IL avg of $83,211
39%of households earn under $50,000 per year
17.1%poverty rate — working families left behind
Issue 02

Raising the Federal Minimum Wage

"No one who works full-time should live in poverty. I'll fight to raise the federal minimum wage so every worker has a fair shot at a decent life. Raising wages means stronger families, thriving local businesses, and a more just economy for all."

Fair WagesStronger FamiliesLocal Business Growth
Issue 03

Education Reforms

"Our future depends on great schools and equal opportunity. I'm dedicated to fully funding public education, supporting our teachers, and ensuring every child, no matter their zip code, can dream big and achieve even bigger. Education is the foundation of progress."

Full FundingSupport TeachersEqual Opportunity

Why It Matters — IL-01

$5BIllinois school funding shortfall vs. 2027 goal
24IL schools where zero children read at grade level
8%of IL-01 residents have no academic degree

Why It Matters — IL-01

Top 1%hold more wealth than the bottom 90% combined
6.5%of IL-01 residents lack health insurance
$5Bschool funding gap that fair taxation could close
Issue 04

Taxing the Ultra Rich

"It's time to level the playing field. The ultra-wealthy and big corporations must pay their fair share so we can invest in the things that matter — schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. I'll work to close loopholes and bring fairness back to our tax system."

Close LoopholesFair ShareInvest in Communities
Issue 05

Targeting Government Spending

"Every tax dollar should deliver real value. I'll push for smarter, more transparent government spending, cutting waste, ending giveaways to special interests, and investing in programs that truly help Illinois families. Responsible spending means a stronger, more accountable government for all."

Cut WasteTransparencyAccountable Government

Why It Matters — IL-01

22%CTA rail service cuts affecting daily commuters
35 minaverage daily commute — 25% above state average
D+US infrastructure grade from civil engineers
Also Fighting For

Mental Health

Expanding access to mental health services is critical for our communities. Too many families are struggling without adequate support. Je'Rico will fight for fully funded mental health programs, crisis intervention resources, and destigmatizing care across IL-01.

Crisis ServicesCommunity CareDestigmatize
Also Fighting For

Bridging the Wealth Gap

The wealth gap in our district is stark. Je'Rico will champion policies that build generational wealth for Black and working-class families — from homeownership programs to small business investment and equitable access to capital.

HomeownershipSmall BusinessEquitable Capital

We Are The Change

Join Je'Rico's
Movement.

"No matter what, We ARE AMERICA. When challenges arise, our strength is found in unity. Together, we are unstoppable."

Campaign Calendar

Upcoming Events

Featured Event
March
05
2026
THU
Media OnlyPress ConferenceQ&A

Media Q&A & Press Conference

Candidate Je'Rico J. Brown invites credentialed media to an exclusive press conference and open Q&A session. Topics include campaign fundraising, political strategy, and the official announcement of the "Pushing the Next Generation to the Polls" initiative.

Time
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
Location
7411 S. Stony Island Ave., 3rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60649
Agenda Topics
Fundraising NeedsPolitical TimingPushing the Next Generation to the PollsOpen Media Q&A
RSVP Required · Deadline March 3, 2026
Donna Brown, Media Relations
[email protected]
Download Press KitDownload Flyer
MAR
15
SUN
Community

Community Town Hall

Join Je'Rico for an open community forum on housing, education, and public safety in IL-01.

TBD — South Side Chicago
APR
04
SAT
Volunteer

Canvassing Day — District-Wide

Volunteer with the campaign to knock doors and connect with voters across the 1st Congressional District. Every door matters.

Multiple Locations, IL-01
Follow the Campaign

Latest Updates

Stay connected with Je’Rico’s campaign. Follow @jerico4congress on Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates.

Campaign post
Economic Justice
IG
@jerico4congress
2 days ago

Our district deserves a representative who fights for EVERY family. IL-01 has a 17.1% poverty rate — nearly 1.5x the state average. That’s n...

312💬 47 89
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FB
Je’Rico Brown for Congress
4 days ago
Campaign News

📣 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Join us for our Media Q&A & Press Conference on March 5th, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 7411 S. Stony Island Ave.,...

528💬 93 214
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Campaign post
Education
IG
@jerico4congress
6 days ago

Illinois is $5 BILLION short of fully funding our schools. Our children deserve better. As your Congressman, I will fight to close the fundi...

445💬 61 132
View →
FB
Je’Rico Brown for Congress
9 days ago
Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote? The Illinois Primary is March 17, 2026 — just weeks away. Make sure your voice is heard! Visit ova.elections.il....

687💬 124 391
View →
Campaign post
Public Safety
IG
@jerico4congress
12 days ago

Black residents in Chicago are 22x more likely to be killed by gun violence than white residents. This is a crisis that demands real action ...

891💬 203 447
View →
FB
Je’Rico Brown for Congress
15 days ago
Fundraising

Help us reach our $75,000 campaign goal! Every dollar raised goes directly toward reaching voters across IL-01 — canvassing, mailers, digita...

342💬 58 176
View →

Never Miss an Update

Follow Je’Rico on social media for live campaign updates, event announcements, and community stories.

Take Action

Get Involved

Real change starts with real people. Choose how you want to make a difference in Illinois' 1st Congressional District.

Most Needed

Volunteer

Join the Movement

Knock doors, make calls, and help register voters across IL-01. Every hour you give moves us closer to real change.

🏠
High Impact

Host an Event

Bring the Campaign to Your Community

Open your home, church, or community space for a town hall, watch party, or neighborhood canvass kickoff.

📋
Free

Request a Yard Sign

Show Your Support

Display a Je'Rico Brown for Congress yard sign at your home or business and help spread the word throughout IL-01.

Want to do more?

Donate, share on social media, or visit jericobrown.com to explore all ways to support the campaign.

Illinois 1st District

A campaign for the US House of Representatives, focused on the real issues facing our community — backed by data, driven by people.

Data Sources
  • U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 2024
  • Census Reporter — IL-01 Profile
  • University of Chicago Crime Lab
  • Illinois Policy Institute
  • WBEZ Chicago Education Coverage
Campaign Issues
  • ◆ Public Safety
  • ◆ Economic Justice
  • ◆ Education
  • ◆ Healthcare
  • ◆ Infrastructure

© 2026 Je'Rico Brown for Congress · Illinois 1st Congressional District. All statistics sourced from public data.

News & UpdatesEventsSocial FeedGet InvolvedPress Kit →
Follow Je'Rico:FacebookInstagram#IL01 #Congress2026 #TogetherWeRise