Illinois Senate Democrats (original) (raw)

The Honorable Emil Jones, Jr., has been a member of the Illinois General Assembly since 1973. He is an independent-minded and progressive legislator with a solid reputation of fairness and advocacy for not only the disadvantaged, but for all citizens of Illinois. Senator Jones is a strong proponent of social justice, and fair and adequate funding of public education in Illinois.

On January 10, 2007, Emil Jones, Jr. received the unanimous support of the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus to be elected Senate President in the 95th General Assembly, his third term as the Senate’s chief presiding officer. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman administered the oath of office to Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. as his family, friends and colleagues witnessed the event.

The 95th General Assembly marks the first time in 70 years, and the first time since the implementation of the 1970 State Constitution, that Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Illinois Senate. President Jones’ hard work and determination led Senate Democrats to take an unprecedented five additional seats to secure this super-majority; the only chamber in the General Assembly to realize such advances. Such extraordinary gains usually occur only in years where legislative redistricting has taken place.

Elected to the Senate in 1982, Senator Jones is currently a member of the Senate Executive Committee. As a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983, he served as an Assistant Democratic Leader and Chairman of the Insurance Committee.

Senator Jones has been a strong supporter of education issues throughout his service in the Illinois General Assembly. One of his proudest legislative accomplishments was proposing and passing the continuing appropriation, or entitlement for education, similar to Social Security on the national level. The proposal increased per pupil spending for school districts throughout the state. He has also sponsored and supported legislation that would dedicate 50 percent of all new revenue to education. Senator Jones also passed into law legislation that directed millions of state dollars for disadvantaged public school students to classroom needs, rather than administrative needs.

Senator Jones also fought for and passed legislation to double the personal exemption on the state income tax to benefit working families. Prior to the passage of this bill in 1998, the personal exemption for Illinois taxpayers had not been increased since 1969. Other legislative highlights include the passage of legislation to secure an individual’s right to choose a clinical social worker over a psychiatrist and to have a third party reimburse the expenses in cases involving the state.

For his legislative and community endeavors, Senator Jones has received numerous awards from educational, business, and labor organizations, among others.

A 1953 graduate of Chicago’s Tilden Technical High School, Senator Jones graduated from Loop Junior College. He attended Roosevelt University, majoring in Business Administration, where he received the Doctorate of Humane Letters Honoris Causa Degree in 2004. Senator Jones received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Chicago State University, for his considerable contributions to public service and promoting greater educational opportunities at Chicago State. In 2004, he was named to the Board of Directors of the Forum of Senate Presidents, an organization of nationwide Senate Presidents in the U.S. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. Also in 2004, President Jones was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of Harold Washington College.

He is a life-long resident of Chicago's South Side, and he is a member of Holy Name of Mary Church, the Knights of St. Peter Claver, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Conference of State Legislators, Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Shriners. He is a 32nd degree Mason and a former Boy Scout Master.

Senator Jones has four children and is married to Dr. Lorrie Jones.