Monica Gordon is rooted in the South Suburbs and has served as Cook County Commissioner for the 5th District since 2022.  She put her stamp on the 5th District by prioritizing the needs of residents with an emphasis on equity.  Representing Chicago Heights, Riverdale, Hazel Crest, Harvey, Olympia Fields and Chicago’s far South Side, Monica has lived in the south suburbs since 2001.

Born on Chicago’s  West Side, her graduate studies and career led her to move to the Southland.  Gordon credits her background as a territory manager in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries with broadening her perspective on equal access to quality health care, particularly controlling the cost of medication and the need for trauma centers. That is one of the reasons she has been making the health care and safety of 5th Cook County residents among her public policy priorities.

Advocating for a south suburban trauma center, Gordon says opening a Level 2 trauma center is needed to help save lives.  Monica also supports the county’s $15 million LeadCare Pilot Program offering free lead service line replacement to licensed home based child care providers in suburban Cook County.

While she believes Cook County Lead Care is a significant milestone, Gordon vows to work tirelessly to find innovative solutions to expand and address the district’s infrastructure needs.

In response to ongoing public safety concerns, Gordon formed a Violence Prevention Advisory Council. She considers violence prevention to be the single most important issue facing residents. Gordon wants the Violence Prevention Advisory Council to tackle all forms of violence – including physical violence, sexual violence, elder abuse and the disappearance of Black women and girls.

Currently, she is vice-chair of the Cook County board’s transportation committee. In 2022, she also was elected Committeeperson of the Democrats of Bloom Township. After her successful elections, Gordon stepped down from her positions as board chair of Prairie State Community College and Government Affairs Director for Chicago State University.

She previously served as the executive director of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, a statewide advocacy organization. She was chosen to be a part of Chicago Mayor Brandon
Johnson’s transition team.

Gordon is an active member of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association Leadership Circle and Jassac Charitable Foundation Inc.

She serves on the National Association of Counties’ Transportation Steering Committee as well as the Board of Directors for Girls 4 Science, and the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation.

Last April 2024, Monica was selected to be the Democratic Nominee for Cook County Clerk by the Cook County Democratic Party.

Gordon holds a MA in Communications & Training from Governors State University and BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University.  She says her birth on Labor Day symbolizes her commitment to improving the lives of working people.