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Jessica A. Pickens has served as the Chief of Intergovernmental Relations for the Illinois Department of Corrections since February 2004. Prior to her position at Corrections, she started as an Assistant Legislative Liaison for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency beginning in November of 2000, and was promoted and served as the Chief Liaison at IEPA from February 2003 until moving to Corrections. While Jessica grew up and started her college education in Carbondale, she moved to Chicago in 1993 where she resided for four years and managed a doctor’s office. She then returned to Carbondale in 1997 where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She subsequently moved to Springfield in May of 2000.
Jessica’s childhood dream was to be a doctor. However, because she had become a single parent and had a strong desire for family and ministry, she chose not to pursue a career in medicine. She wanted to be able to dedicate the time and energy she felt necessary to her son and to ministry. Jessica moved to Springfield to be a part of the Abundant Faith Christian Center. She subsequently was working a temporary job at Wells Fargo while trying to find a job in forensics with the State Police. In November of 2000 she was presented with the opportunity to interview to be a legislative liaison.
After working as a legislative liaison for almost six years now, Jessica has developed a passion and respect for the political process. Jessica’s personal experiences and life challenges have helped her understand the impact and importance of the political process on the lives of everyday people. Jessica now has a strong sense of obligation and desire to continue her work in the political arena and perhaps someday become an elected official. She desires to become engaged in finding improvements and solutions to some of the same issues that challenged her throughout life.
Jessica was married to Tyrone Pickens in December 2002, when they started their blended family initially with four children: Eric (now 13), Jalen (now 12), Dominick (now 11), and Jayla (now 8). They have since had two children together, Dawson (2), and Gabrielle (1), making their household of eight an exciting place to be everyday! They are very active in their children’s lives, as well as with their church. |
