Mike is a passionate post-secondary educator and administrator, with almost 20 years of commitment to advocating for and shaping the minds of students for fulfilling careers.

As State Representative of the 31st District he has continued to lead with that same passion. In 2025, Rep. Crawford was honored to be selected for the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD), the premier training program for emerging legislative leaders in the Midwest and Canada. Chosen by his peers, Rep. Crawford brought the voices and priorities of the 31st District to this regional stage, gaining new tools and strategies to better serve his constituents. His participation as a BILLD alumnus underscores his commitment to delivering results, building coalitions, and ensuring that the needs of his community remain front and center in Illinois policymaking.

Dr. Crawford's educational journey was rooted in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), having graduated from Sayre Language Academy in Chicago's Austin Community and Lane Technical High School, prior to earning his BS and MSEd at Northern Illinois University, MBA at Saint Xavier University, and PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Concordia University Chicago.

Mike has a beautiful wife, Joy’Ecstacy and their twins, they make their home in the Wrightwood neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. Mike is involved in several service and education-oriented organizations, demonstrating his commitment to building a thriving community.

Mike believes in this district and in our shared future. When we work together, across generations and neighborhoods, we can make our communities places of opportunity, dignity, and hope.