Jacqueline Pereda is a lifelong area resident who was born in Chicago and raised in Little Village.  She learned her values from hardworking immigrant parents who have been small business owners throughout their lives. She is a graduate of Lourdes High School and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was awarded a full academic scholarship. As a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, she volunteered to teach English to the local immigrant population and visited senior citizens in nearby nursing homes. She interned at CNA Insurance, Bank of America, and Pederson and Houpt Law Offices, on her way to earning her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a Minor in Latino/a Studies.

Upon her graduation from the University of Illinois, she worked as a litigation paralegal at several successful Chicago law firms that arduously represent diverse members of the community. She has resided in Berwyn for the past 12 years with her husband and her two children. She has been an active volunteer at Pershing school where her son attends.