Working Mom. Urban Planner. Community advocate.

Meet Josina.

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The daughter of civil rights activists and the working mother of two young children, Josina Morita is running for Cook County Commissioner to make Cook County more equitable.

Josina dedicated her career as an urban planner and non-profit leader to addressing inequities and advancing sustainable solutions. She has been fighting for racial justice for the past 20 years and authored Illinois’ first ever legislative report card in racial equity.

Inspired by pioneering women leaders like Judge Sandra Otaka and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Josina has made history herself. Elected to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in 2016, Josina is the first Asian American elected to a countywide board in Cook County. If elected, Josina will be the first Asian American woman to serve on the Cook County Board.

As Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District since 2016, Josina has protected our homes from flooding, promoted equity, and increased transparency.

Josina is the founding chair of the Asian American Caucus and the country’s first Mamas Caucus. She sits on the National Blue Ribbon Commission for On-Site Non-Potable Water Systems and the bi-national Great Lakes Commission.

Josina’s human rights, racial equity, and water justice work has been recognized both locally and nationally:

In 2007, she was named one of the top 35 leaders under 35 fighting racism and poverty in Chicago by the Community Renewal Society.
In 2013, she received the Emerging Leader Award from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and the Breaking Barriers Award from the Chicago Foundation for Women.
In 2016, she was named one of 50 Young Asian American Stars in Politics by Asian Fortune Magazine.
In 2017, she received the Spirit of the River Award.
In 2018, she was recognized as a National Water Hero by WaterNow.
In 2019, she was named #22 of the 40 People Who Made a Difference in the Last 40 Years by Friends of the Chicago River.

Josina holds a B.A. in Sociology and International Race Relations from Pitzer College and a Masters in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.