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Jesus Ortega

State Director Jesus Ortega
State Contact Information

Jesus Ortega

State Director of Illinois

Born and raised in Illinois, Jesus is a Political Science and International Studies graduate from Loyola University Chicago.

Jesus has a passion for implementing and advancing effective policy that helps Americans prosper and move our great country forward. He has managed teams, programs, and events that serve this purpose across the Midwest. Jesus is committed to fostering economic growth and improving quality of life in rural communities through strategic partnerships, unprecedented outreach, and process improvements.

Jesus was thrilled when offered the opportunity, in January 2025, to be the Illinois State Director for Rural Development. He believes it is a tremendous honor to help develop and assist the people of the Land of Lincoln and rural America.

Jesus and his wife, Claire, reside in Central Illinois and were delighted to welcome their firstborn in early 2025.

State Director Jesus Ortega and Community Programs Director Julie Hatfield welcomed IL Rural Water Association recently to discuss rural water projects and continue the decades long partnership between our organizations.
Director Ortega, Deputy Director Hammond, and Area Specialist Mike McKee joined Southern Illinois Now to work on innovation and collaboration happening across 17 counties at the SI Now conference last month!
State Director Ortega met with new @UofIllinois Extension Director Matthew Vann at the Farm Progress Show to discuss future collaboration.
It was a productive Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair! Among the partners Director Ortega connected with were IL Farm Bureau’s Local Government Director, Brenda Matherly and Associate Director, Ryan Tate.
It was a great Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair! Director Ortega learned from a 4H student on the many opportunities within Illinois 4H for leadership, civic engagement, and more. The future is bright for these young 4H members!
It was a great Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair! Among the partners Director Ortega connected with was Rod Stoll, Vice President of Marketplace Engagement at Farm Credit Illinois
It was a collaborative Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair! Director Ortega met with Director Graff of USDA’s Farm Service Agency to discuss USDA sister-agency coordination.
State Director Ortega spoke with Association of IL Electric Cooperative’s President, Craig Sondgeroth, to discuss IL Rural Development and AIEC’s collaboration to continue the great work that the REDLG program does for rural IL communities.
At the State Fair, Director Ortega connected with UIUC Community & Govt. Relations Director Bob Flider. An Urbana-Champaign area resident, Director Ortega recognizes the UIUC impact for Illinois - and beyond!
State Director Ortega enjoyed touring research and product development facility, Distillery Labs in Peoria, as he connected with Greater Peoria Economic Development Council CEO Chris Setti.