Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams and her family reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to serving as Jackson County Legislator, Crystal currently works as a consultant through Policy Matters, a sole proprietorship in which she works to pursue public policies to improve the lives of families throughout Jackson County and the region. She has a long history of working in the non-profit sector as an advocate through public policy, public relations and non-profit management.

Involvement

Crystal has served as executive director of a statewide health advocacy organization, as vice president of a regional child advocacy organization, Partnership for Children, and recently as vice president of the management team for Swope Health Services and Swope Community Enterprises, a large community non-profit. She has also been the public relations manager for the 2nd largest physicians’ organization in the United States. Her successes in public policy and public relations include helping to secure significant funding for women’s health services, increasing funding for foster care families, increasing funding for children’s health programs and working on legislation concerning the child welfare system and the work of certified nurse practitioners.

Family

Crystal and her husband, Richard Speidel, are strong supporters of public schools and vital neighborhoods. Their son, Will, graduated from the Kansas City, Missouri, school district in 2018 and currently attends Drake University. Crystal is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History and Government. She is active in many civic and political organizations in Jackson County and Missouri.

Elections

Crystal was first elected to the Jackson County Legislature in 2010 and then re-elected in 2014.

Key Legislation Sponsored

PDMP A county wide prescription drug monitoring program to help combat opioid abuse.
MBE/WBE Enacting a county minority owned and women owned business enterprise program.
Children's Services Fund Establishing the Jackson County Children's Services Fund (JACOCSF) a one-eighth cent sales tax and authorizing it to be placed on ballot. TheJACOCSF was passed by Jackson County voters in November of 2016. 
Tobacco 21 Enacting an ordinance raising the age to purchase tobacco in Jackson County to 21. 
Jail Audit Authorizing funds to conduct an audit of the Jackson County Department of Corrections

2021 Committee Assignments

• Health & Environment
• Land Use