Jonathan Carroll

Current office and 2026 campaign

Jonathan Carroll is a Democratic Party member of the Tennessee State Executive Committee for District 33 ¹. In 2026, he is running for election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education to represent District 9 ². Carroll qualified for the ballot ahead of the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary ².

Carroll was one of five candidates in the District 9 race, which included incumbent Joyce Dorse Coleman and other challengers ⁶. In the primary election held on May 5, 2026, Carroll received votes but did not secure a spot in the general election, as Coleman advanced to face newcomer Tamara Jordan ⁶. The general election for the District 9 seat is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 ².

Background and education

Jonathan Carroll was born in New York City on January 26, 1949 ⁴. He is a novelist and writer known for works in magic realism and contemporary fantasy ⁴⁵. Carroll has lived in Austria since 1974 ⁴. His father, Sidney Carroll, was a film writer whose credits included the film The Hustler, and his mother was June Carroll (née Sillman) ⁴.

Jonathan Carroll is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 57th district from October 3, 2017, to January 5, 2024 ³⁷. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from DePaul University and a Master of Arts degree in Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Disorders from Northeastern Illinois University ³⁸. Professionally, he has worked as a special education teacher and cognitive disabilities specialist ¹³⁸.

Career

Jonathan Carroll is a certified special education teacher and special needs advocate who holds a Master of Arts in Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Disorders from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from DePaul University ³⁸. He has worked as a cognitive disabilities specialist and specializes in helping individuals with ADHD, executive functioning issues, and learning challenges improve their personal, professional, and educational performance ³⁸. Carroll also owns Carroll Educational Group, a business focused on education services ¹.

Prior to his political career, Carroll served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 57 from October 3, 2017, until his resignation on January 5, 2024 ³⁷. He announced his departure from the legislature in early 2024, citing the best interests of his family’s physical and mental health, and did not seek re-election in the 2022 general election cycle ¹¹¹. Following his resignation, he left public office to focus on his professional work in education advocacy ¹⁰.

Office history

Jonathan Carroll served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 57 from October 3, 2017, until his resignation on January 5, 2024 ³⁷. He was first elected to the seat in November 2016 and won re-election in the general election on November 8, 2022 ¹³. During his tenure, he chaired committees including Consumer Protection and Police and Fire ¹². Carroll announced he would not seek re-election when his term ended and subsequently resigned from office ¹¹⁰. Tracy Katz Muhl was appointed to fill the vacant seat ¹¹.

Carroll ran for election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board to represent District 9 in Tennessee in the Democratic primary held on May 5, 2026 ². He placed fourth in the five-candidate race, receiving votes behind incumbent Joyce Dorse Coleman and other candidates ⁶. The general election for this seat is scheduled for August 6, 2026 ².

Legislative record and accomplishments

During his tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives, which ended on January 5, 2024, Jonathan Carroll served as a Democrat representing District 57 ¹. He was elected to four consecutive terms, having first assumed office in October 2017 after winning re-election in November 2022 ¹³.

Carroll chaired the Consumer Protection and Police and Fire committees during his time in Springfield ⁸. His legislative portfolio included significant work on food allergy safety, gun reform, and education policy ⁸. He also secured approximately $5 million in funding for his district through appropriations ⁸.

Business interests and wealth source

Jonathan Carroll’s professional background is rooted in education and special needs advocacy rather than private business ownership or inherited wealth. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from DePaul University and a Master of Arts in Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Disorders from Northeastern Illinois University ³. Prior to his election to the Illinois House of Representatives, Carroll worked as a certified special education teacher and cognitive disabilities specialist ¹³.

During his tenure in the Illinois legislature, Carroll self-describes as a special needs advocate helping individuals with ADHD, executive functioning issues, and learning challenges improve their performance ⁸. His professional experience includes owning Carroll Educational Group, though specific details regarding the company's revenue, sales, or current ownership stakes are not provided in available records ¹.

Financial disclosure documents for his time in the Illinois House of Representatives are noted as being part of public legislative records, but specific asset values, business sale proceeds, or family wealth sources are not detailed in the provided source material ⁹. Carroll resigned from the Illinois House in January 2024, citing the best interest of his family’s physical and mental health, before moving to Tennessee ¹¹¹. In Tennessee, he has run for local office, including a Democratic primary for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board in 2026, but no significant private business interests or large-scale wealth sources are identified in current biographical summaries ²⁶.

Family

Carroll resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives in January 2024, citing that his departure was "in the best interest" of his family’s physical and mental health ¹¹.

Sources