USDA Rural Development Welcomes Jesus Ortega as New IL State Director

[February 11, 2025]    CHAMPAIGN, IL – Jesus Ortega was recently appointed as the IL State Director for USDA Rural Development. Ortega comes with experience in the political and program management sector, with a degree in Political Science and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago. He discovered he had a passion for effective government and efficient public policy that helps Americans prosper and move our great country forward.

Born and raised in Illinois, Ortega was thrilled when offered the opportunity to be the IL State Director for Rural Development. He considers serving the people of the Land of Lincoln a great honor. He and his wife, Claire, are delighted to be expecting their firstborn in the coming months and excited to be establishing roots in Central Illinois.

IL State Director Jesus Ortega
In the coming weeks, Ortega will be focused on visiting each of the 11 Rural Development offices to meet staff and visit project sites, engaging with stakeholders and learning how Rural Development can improve its service for applicants. “Rural Development’s mission is extremely important; we need to be bringing resources and investments to rural towns, its small businesses, and its communities as much as we do urban areas” says Ortega. “Some of the items I want to focus on in my role as State Director is increasing collaboration with organizations who share a similar mission to serve as many Illinoisans as we can, the application processes themselves, and how we might streamline and make things more efficient for our staff and applicants”.

“We are thrilled to have Jesus Ortega as our new State Director” says Deputy State Director Molly Hammond. “We look forward to his leadership and support as we continue providing excellent service to our stakeholders here at USDA Rural Development”.

Jesus Ortega is the youngest IL State Director USDA Rural Development has had to date. He aims to bring refreshed innovation, energy, and an outside perspective to improving the way IL Rural Development can achieve its mission and goals for the people of Illinois.

[Jenny Warning | USDA]