DISQUS

OneMan · 1 year ago

Considering Linda got out-raised 2-1 in the last reporting period and didn't seem to get a single reportable gift from a carbon based life form in her district during the last reporting cycle I would suspect she is getting a bit nervous...

cermak_rd · 1 year ago

Is there anyway an IL con-con could fix the problem of officeholders attempting to "bequeath" their spots to handpicked successors? It's getting repetitive now and really does seem to be subverting the whole concept of democracy.

Ghost · 1 year ago

I am not sure you could write a book of political fiction that would have all the stuff happening in Illinois right now. Jones retirment, coupled with his role as critical support for the Gov, makes this little piece of Illinois politics a substantial historical moment for the State. it is going to be very interesting to see whats in Play in Illinois when the dust settles.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

===I am not sure you could write a book of political fiction that would have all the stuff happening in Illinois right now.===

Yeah. Too complicated and unbelievable.

wordslinger · 1 year ago

I suspect one way or the other, Pat Fitz will write the final chapter.

Reformer · 1 year ago

$577,605 for personal use. Only in Illinois.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

===$577,605 for personal use. Only in Illinois.===

You forgot the four cents.

needtoknow · 1 year ago

Besides Holmes who else will be in big trouble with Jones retirement?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

There will be a full report in tomorrow's Capitol Fax.

Ghost · 1 year ago

IMHO Jones was helping to prop up Hendon and Trotter, they are just not anywhere near Jones level. I specualte they may be in more trouble then they realise without Jones. But then again, even in retirment Jones may not be completly gone.

needtoknow · 1 year ago

I also agree Silverstein could be in the race. He should be able to pull from all the different caucus including a few republicans if needed. Being the chairman of the Executive committee he had to work well with all of them.

kane repub · 1 year ago

Need to Know - who besides Holmes??
Noland - his hole is so deep - no way can he recover in two years from this.............

Pat Collins · 1 year ago

You know, it's very hard to walk away from 500K+ UNLESS you know you have something as lucrative lined up.

I know I would not.

Vote Quimby! · 1 year ago

==Paul is in a cab on his way. ==

You can tell he is a former intern....current ones have to use the CapFax 10-speed.

Scooby · 1 year ago

Good luck to you President Jones.

Anon · 1 year ago

Frank Watson has a better shot at becoming Senate President that Rickey Hendon. No way no how!

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

===current ones have to use the CapFax 10-speed.===

Nah. K-Fan had a sweet Mercedes.

Team Sleep · 1 year ago

Well, Emil said he wants to get paid. I guess that $577,605.04 consitutes getting paid - in the grossest sense (literally and figuratively).

Cermak is dead-on. Someone has to be done to stop the "bequeathing" in state politics.

Anon · 1 year ago

Everyone take a deep breath or at least a "time-out" and go back to work. This will shake out in the backrooms or on the blackberries. It will be better the a roller coaster at the State Fair!

My Opinion · 1 year ago

The bequeathing did stop in 1998-as Rich has reported.

Vote Quimby! · 1 year ago

==K-Fan had a sweet Mercedes.==

Can't help but notice the past tense....was that considered a 'tuition expense' and is now sitting in your garage or, more likely, sold with proceeds going to the CapFax retirement vineyard fund?
I'll leave you alone now; sounds very busy up there and I do appreciate the breaking news...

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

"had," meaning he's not doing the internship beyond the MS.

wordslinger · 1 year ago

Whatever you think about him, you can't deny Jones is one tough dude. Doesn't get rattled, doesn't back down. And smarter than the average bear, to boot.

I remember one time back in the early 90s when there was some issue of racetrack "reform," which was really a battle between Duchoissis (sp) and Stormy Bidwill and the other tracks.

I don't remember details of the beef, but I do remember a Senate hearing where Jones and Frank Savickas almost went street in the Capitol. Savickas was no pushover, but my money was on Jones.

Vote Quimby! · 1 year ago

Whew, thanks. I must escape this conspiracy frame of mind.

==Is there anyway an IL con-con could fix the problem of officeholders attempting to “bequeath” their spots to handpicked successors?==

That is a good question, and I guess the answer would have to be yes...at least in theory. But any election system will always have some people trying to control it. That's one of the reasons why I like term limits and the 'up or out' theory. In my goo-goo world, I believe that would give candidates the 'testicular virility' to make the hard decisions without fear of getting hammered for it the next campaign. In reality, though, it would probably just encourage them to make short-term, flavor-of-the-month decisions hoping to make a name for themselves to move up the ladder. I think a con-con can address many issues, but keeping the hogs from lining up at the trough is not one of them.

Vote Quimby! · 1 year ago

A typo or the truth? The last line of the Crains article:
"A statement about his departure will be released later Monday, Mr. Jones said in the earning afternoon."
Emphasis one earning not added due to my lack of knowledge of how to do it...

Cougar · 1 year ago

That should be one hell of a special session day Tuesday. Think the Senators will show up.

Snidely Whiplash · 1 year ago

The way all this "bequeathing" is going on, I think that the folks in the House of Lords ... uhm, I mean, "Senate" ... should start wearing powdered wigs as they sneer down upon the commoners.

Six Degrees of Separation · 1 year ago

The NCAA should investigate K-Fan's Mercedes.

Was his office nerf ball jump-shot worth this massive recruiting violation?

Swing Town · 1 year ago

Speaking of Schoenberg, won't it be fun trying to find him when Meeks shows up at New Trier with the busloads of kids the first day of school.
Has Jeff commented on this stunt yet?

Fan of the Game · 1 year ago

===Cermak is dead-on. Someone has to be done to stop the “bequeathing” in state politics.===

Usually someone must be done in order to have a "bequeathee." :)

Capitol View · 1 year ago

swingtown - I think New Trier is in the Lang/Silverstein district, and for now, Silverstein appears to be laying low.

Levois · 1 year ago

Don't tell me even Jones wants to be on the friends and family plan and appoint his son in his place as Senate President.

Captain Flume · 1 year ago

Politics is a family business in Illinois, in the truest meanings of those words. But we also had the Adams family (John and John Q.) and the Bushes in the White House, and the Kennedys in everything. The latter examples not so much bequeathments, but certainly the grooming was there.

Though the Joneses, the Madigans, the Jacobses, the Strogers, et al, may seem to subvert democracy as legacies, it is their constituents who put and keep them in office in the general elections.

Jaded · 1 year ago

Finally something fun to watch after all the nastiness lately at the Capitol. Not saying it won't be nasty, but it will be nasty in a fun sort of way. :)

cermak_rd · 1 year ago

I would put the Adams, the Bushes, the Kennedys and even the Madigans in a different league than the Lipinskis, the Strogers and now possibly the Joneses (if he actually does it). It's one thing to trade on the family's name and the family's wealth and friends and go out there and run and win. It's quite another thing to retire after a ballot deadline and therefore have your choice be given to the voters as a fait accompli in order to avoid that whole messy primary business. In most districts in IL, the real democracy is at the primary with the general election simply a formality that puts whatever party is dominant in that district into power.

Been There · 1 year ago

As of late last night Emil was still trying to figure out how you go about getting your kid to take your place. I think they have it worked out but here is some analysis. If the weighted vote is based on the last primary for his seat then no committeman has 50%. The city wards make up 77% of the vote with Emil's own ward (34th Carrie Austin) with 33%. Brookins 21st has 22%, Joyce / Matt O'Shea 19th has 9% and Beals 9th has 13.5%. Most if not all of the suburban township committemen will stick together with their combined 23% of the vote. They will weigh whether to go with whoever Brookins supports or Carrie Austin's 34th ward supporting Emil, Jr. They won't support Brookins so their only choice, along with the 19th ward, is to go with Emils son. Even if the suburbans and the 19th team up with Beals, they only get to 46%. Not enough. Welcome Senator Emil Jones, Jr.

Doggone · 1 year ago

Flam,

I am at a loss to understand your point about legacy. If a man drives a milk truck his boy will likely want to drive a milk truck. If a man runs a shop his boy will generally take over when dad retires. What's your beef with family working in public service? Everyone person you named as an example won open and fair election. Is it your point that voters are stupid? That you are somehow somehow smarter than John Q. Public?

Dream on Flamer, as voters are smarter than you think!

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

BT, very good analysis. Thanks for the numbers.

One minor quibble. Emil Jones, Jr. is already Senate Prez. The son is Emil III.

Skeeter · 1 year ago

I am so SICK of politicians who want to be replaced by their children and who do this sort of "stuff" to enable it to happen.
I've never had much use for Jones, and this thing is the exact sort of thing that I would expect.
Sleeze to the end. The Emil way.

Vote Quimby! · 1 year ago

==Everyone person you named as an example won open and fair election. Is it your point that voters are stupid?==

We did elect RRB. Twice. By a wide margin. Check and mate.

phocion · 1 year ago

President Hendon? I know hubris and disregard for public opinion runs amuck in Springfield these days. But the Illinois Senate wouldn't dream of putting Hollywood in that chair? Would they?

Bill · 1 year ago

Been There,
The suburban committeemen supported Brookins for States Attorney. Don't assume they are in Emil's corner. Using your numbers, Brookins + Suburbs = 45%. If they cut a deal with Beals Emil III is out. Not likely, but not impossible. Beals will do whatever the Congressman( who is not exactly a big Emil fan) says.
Its time for some good old fashioned political horsetrading!

Ghost · 1 year ago

I see no reason a child should not replace a parent in politics as a general proposition. Ultimatly you want people who will be good or are competetn at the job.

I had very little knoweledge of politics growing uo because we were not exposed to it in our family. Almost every kind in the house went into a prefssion related to what our parents did, because thats what we were exposed to. A kid in a politicial houehold is going to grow up in politics. I see nothing inherently bad about them following along with what they know or have been exposed to. It actually makes a lot of sense; they would have had tons of experience observing the political process behind the scenes, would have a good handle on who are the players and how to conduct themselves etc. Knowing nothing other then the person is a child of another politician tells me nothing other then that they are well posied and proably have more experience for the job then others.

I know nothing about Emill III, but if he is as bright an savy as his dad I welcome him to the political arena and think it will be a good fit for him.

Greg · 1 year ago

Doggone: so opposing public nepotism = believing voters are stupid. Huh?

Captain Flume · 1 year ago

I have no beef with any family businesses. They are the backbone of the economy in my mind. "Public service" is a loaded term, though. I have no doubt that voters are smart enough to elect the people whom they think will best represent them. But that's the voters in MY district. (He said with a wink.)

Greg · 1 year ago

Ghost, I think the objection relates more to the style of the seat's hand-off, not III's qualifications or right to run for the seat.

All of this could have been settled in a normal primary. For as qualified as the recipient might be, he's still gaining the incredible power of incumbency through the evasion around actual voting.

Sarbanharble · 1 year ago

Thank you, Mr. President. It's been fun.

Little Egypt · 1 year ago

I'm pretty sick of politicians who want to be replaced by their children as well. We should have stopped with Bush 41.

Team Sleep · 1 year ago

Thank you, Fan. What I said was a bit, um, awkward. My internal spell check must be broken.

Smack-o-cratic · 1 year ago

Doggone, say what? Speaking of being at a loss...I'd say your premise/analogy is not really logical. You're statement about smart voters is laughable. They are what they are, but smart is not an accurate description. Granting elected offices to ones' spouses our off-spring may be as old as the hills but it makes for lousy governance. See the current example in WH, Congress and our own legislature. The idea that junior may want to follow in daddy's foot steps is a warm and fuzzy but they ought to earn it against other legit candidates.

allout · 1 year ago

Don't you think the campaigning starts Tuesday in Spfld? When they all get face to face they will be calling in past favors. Also who has the biggest war chest to help out for election day that will be the next President of the Senate.

Reality · 1 year ago

Schoenberg has New Trier High School District and Garrett has a small portion (northern part of the township.

Been There · 1 year ago

===One minor quibble. Emil Jones, Jr. is already Senate Prez. The son is Emil III.===
For as many times I have seen or written that you would think I would have caught that. Sorry.

fight corruption · 1 year ago

Do you think Jones is retiring in hopes of getting a post with Obama (if he wins in November)?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

Doubtful.

Louis G. Atsaves · 1 year ago

All my experiences with President Jones were through the late Senator Adeline J. Geo-Karis. I found President Jones to be very warm and caring and loyal to his friends and others who treated him well.

When Senator Geo-Karis was on the "outs" with the GOP leadership, Jones repeatedly stepped into the void and arranged for plane rides for her to travel to Springfield, office space, allowed her to co-chair a committee, and even visited her in her Zion home. And that is just the short list.

From a political standpoint, he didn't have to do any of it. From a personal stand point, it showed the quality of the man.
Good deeds show a quality in a person that we generally do not read about in a newspaper.

Although I am of a different political philosophy and different political party, the man earned my respect.

Yellow Dog Democrat · 1 year ago

You left out the best part of the Campaign for Political reform post:

The Senate has an opportunity that does not come along very often, and we hope they not only find a leader capable of guiding the upper chamber to thoughtful, reasoned, and wise decisions, but also one who is committed to democratizing the caucus, reforming campaign finance, and ensuring far more openness in the process.

Pretty saucy for a non-partisan, apolitical group.

My guess is they ain't rooting for Hendon.

Been There · 1 year ago

===The suburban committeemen supported Brookins for States Attorney. Don’t assume they are in Emil’s corner===
Bill, the only committeeman from that area who "may" have supported Brookins is Zucharelli from Thorton. He has one tenth of one percent of the weighted vote. I believe they were all for either Allen or Milan. Bremen may have played both sides of the fence depending on where they were passing out palm cards. I will also give you Calumet Township which just saw Committeman John Rita pass away and I don't know who they plan to replace him with. But Worth (7.5%), Orland (2.5%) and Palos (2%) didn't and won't be for a Brookins candidate.

allout · 1 year ago

How Senators do you think will show up on Tuesday to let the games to begin?

Wumpus · 1 year ago

Rich, I was joking (obviously) earlier, but I bet Jones will get appointed to some position..perhaps an ambasadorship if Obama manages to win. Something under the radar, perhaps in a nice tropical environment

Ghost · 1 year ago

Greg, I somewhat see that point. But if part of the plan in placing a name on the ballott by the dems is to try and make sure they get a Dem elected; then I think the analysis should not focus on ability and electability. The family relationship comes into play but seems pertinent only to the extent it shows an ability to get votes, or alternatively is being posited as a hinderance to getting votes.

Downstater · 1 year ago

Why did Jones go with Crain's for the exclusive interview?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

Greg called him and he answered. Oops. lol

Arthur Andersen · 1 year ago

AA could be terribly mistaken, but I sense that most of that $577 large may end up accruing to the benefit of members of the bar, not members of the Jones family.

Gameplan · 1 year ago

BTW, do not even consider Sen Hendon for the position of Senate President. His awful behavior toward women is legendary even to his own peers. His temperment and crassness does not suit the position.

Who knows what about Cullerton and his relationship with the Gov and Meeks?

Bill · 1 year ago

Been There,
You're probably right. I'm just saying that it is not a done deal yet and there will have to be some trading. Emil will have to put up. Don't underestimate the influence of the other players regardless of their weighted vote in the district. Emil hasn't exactly gone out of his way to make friends, especially in the suburbs. It may just come back to haunt him. Out with the old, in with the new.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

EJJr. has very little to trade right now. Once you make that announcement, the world passes you by.

connie · 1 year ago

Rich,If the pay raises had gone into effect, would Jones's increase in salary effected his pension?

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

Pay raise would've been next term. So the answer is no.

Chicago Cynic · 1 year ago

Well Rich, don't you think if he could have approved the pay raises he would have stayed just long enough for it to have boosted his pension and then resigned?

Disgusted · 1 year ago

Is this heir to the throne the same Emil the Third who had to be rousted out of his bed to begin his first day under a hefty contract with the State of IL for his IT work? Can't show up the first day on time? Show him the door. What nerve. There is not hope for the government of this state.

Rich Miller · 1 year ago

CC, woulda, coulda, shoulda. HeckifIknow.

Chicago Cynic · 1 year ago

On this question of government service as a "family business", I think most of the posters today are missing the point. There's a big difference between politicians like Lipinski and Stroger, who manipulated the system, and those like Dan Hynes and Lisa Madigan who competed in hotly contested primaries and general elections to win.

Sure, Hynes and Madigan would not be where they are if their names were Smith and Brown, but at least they had to fight hard to get there.

For Stroger, Lipinski, Jones and the like, they view public offices as an entitlement to pass down to their children like their cars or their houses. It's outrageous and it leads to disasters like you see now in Cook County.

From what I hear from folks who work with him, EJ3 , well (trying to avoid banning language), let's just say he's not the hardest working man at DCEO. Something about the inability to be fired leading to a lack of motivation.

This is the problem.

Chicago Cynic · 1 year ago

Disgusted, that's exactly what I heard from someone who was there.

Fan of the Game · 1 year ago

==="Senator Obama is confident he will continue to serve the people of Illinois in retirement.”===

Is that a slap or a compliment? Nice ambiguous statement from Sen. Obama's Illinois communications guru. *LOL*

SouthernIllinoisan · 1 year ago

So when does the "Gary Forby for Senate President" movement begin? I'm on board! Him and Rob would serve well together and then at least he'd have a reason to be aligned with Chicago politics and their politicos.

47th Ward · 1 year ago

Can we start calling him "Threemil" now? Or should we wait until he's sworn in?

Concerned Voter · 1 year ago

Wow, and I thought Emil needed to stick around for the pay raise.

Seriously, what is Rod going to do? It sure is going to make it harder than before for him to get what he wants. Plus it will be interesting to see who gets the Senate President spot when Emil goes.

OK Illinois Republicans, lets see how you react to this opportunity.

Gregor · 1 year ago

I think Emil has been campaigning for a Presidency or chancellorship or something similar at Chicago State for years now; it would explain a lot of the largesse he's rained down upon them out of all proportion in recent years.

Concerned Voter · 1 year ago

So, Gregor, he may have been creating his own golden parachute with the taxpayers money, interesting.

Sad · 1 year ago

It's sad that Emil's legacy will be "The Biggest Supporter" of the soon to be indicted Governor.

Silent Majority · 1 year ago

They just hired a new President at Chicago State. Seems to be very qualified. The board is not going to dump him for Jones, especially after the board got such bad PR due to the prior President.

Arthur Andersen · 1 year ago

When One is an ex-lege, One would not have to be a University President to hit the Pension Lotto.
Ask Carol Ronen.

Been There · 1 year ago

JONES, JR., EMIL
11357 SOUTH LOWE AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60628 14TH SENATE
DEMOCRATIC Withdrawn
8/18/2008 3:57 PM

Frank Sobotka · 1 year ago

Somewhere in all this, there's bound to be 'exit' interviews of him in the papers. And somewhere, the question of his secret to longevity may come up: "How do you do manage to work in the Legislature for 35+ years? How do you manage to look so spry after living for 72 years?...", etc.

And I pray, fervently, that his answer in no way resembles Ernest Borgnine's.

South Side Mike · 1 year ago

"And I pray, fervently, that his answer in no way resembles Ernest Borgnine’s."

Frank,

That was the funniest, even if most inappropriate, comment about a retiring politician I have ever read. I had to take a trip to the water cooler to avoid disturbing co-workers with my chuckles.

observer · 1 year ago

I'd like to see a Jones successor with the following qualifications:
1. Is a bridge-builder, can facilitate dialogue on both sides of the aisle
2. Is humble, but an eloquent speaker
3. Has above-average intellect, especially understands BUDGET, PUBLIC FINANCE, & MACROECONOMICS
4. Is squeaky, squeaky clean
5. Is respected upstate & downstate, and across all racial and ethnic constituencies

Which Dems in the Senate fit that criteria?