Kankakee Times

House Assistant Minority Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) is excited to be a part of five House committees this legislative session, two of which she'll serve as Republican spokesperson.

Haas revealed her committee assignments – including her appointment to the legislative oversight group known as the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) – in a Feb. 8 news release.

“I am looking forward to getting to work in Springfield this session on JCAR which takes an essential role in the way our government works and serves people throughout our state,” Haas said in the release. "While JCAR is a new addition for me, I am excited to build on the work I have done throughout my tenure on the mental health and human services-based committees."

House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) named Haas as the GOP spokeswoman for the House Health Care Availability & Access,  and Mental Health & Addiction Committees. McCombie also chose Haas to serve on the House Appropriations - Health & Human Services, Prescription Drug Affordability, and Human Services committees. Haas was also chosen to be one of a dozen legislators to "help oversee the rule-making process by state agencies." She'll also be among those tasked to make sure the rules originally intended by laws as passed are followed. 

Prior to her time in the state legislature, Haas worked as a social worker. According to her website, she worked for the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health and eventually became the organization's CEO. She also served on the Kankakee County Board for two years. 

“As a social worker, I understand how critical access to healthcare and behavioral health services, as well as human services and affordable prescription medication, are to Illinoisans,” Haas said in the release. “I’m eager to return to the Capitol to discuss and debate these issues in committees, and advance legislation to make improvements in these areas. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in collaborating to ensure we have the best bills exiting these committees for all residents in our great state.”