Jennifer Johnson
Commissioner
Jennifer L. Johnson spent 34 years working in education. In 1972, she began her teaching career in Joliet Public School District #86 teaching science to the Educable Mentally Handicapped at Washington Junior High. She went on to become the Dean of Students at Dirksen Junior High School from 1978 to 1982 and then served as the school’s Assistant Principal until 1987. Jennifer then served as Principal at Sandburg Elementary School until 1995, when she became Principal of Sandburg & Taft Elementary School for one year. She continued at Taft until 2000, transferring to Marycrest Elementary School until her retirement in 2006.
Ms. Johnson received her Master of Science degree from Illinois State University in Educational Administration in 1980. She attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for her undergraduate studies in Special Education in 1972.
As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jennifer has held numerous leadership positions in her local Joliet chapter, sponsoring initiatives in Health, Family Strengthening, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Scholarship fundraising.
Currently, Ms. Johnson serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Disabilities Services and the Anti-Racism Committee with the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. She is also the Deputy Registrar in Will County. Active in her church, Jennifer she serves as the Chairperson of the Annual Revival, Eucharistic Minister, and lector at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Jennifer was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in 2018.