http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenFri, 22 Aug 2008 01:59:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174235<p>I'd like to see a Jones successor with the following qualifications:<br>1. Is a bridge-builder, can facilitate dialogue on both sides of the aisle<br>2. Is humble, but an eloquent speaker<br>3. Has above-average intellect, especially understands BUDGET, PUBLIC FINANCE, &amp; MACROECONOMICS<br>4. Is squeaky, squeaky clean<br>5. Is respected upstate &amp; downstate, and across all racial and ethnic constituencies</p><p>Which Dems in the Senate fit that criteria?</p>observerFri, 22 Aug 2008 01:59:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174234<p>"And I pray, fervently, that his answer in no way resembles Ernest Borgnine’s."</p><p>Frank,</p><p>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.</p>South Side MikeTue, 19 Aug 2008 08:26:15 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174233<p>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.</p><p>And I pray, fervently, that his answer in no way resembles Ernest Borgnine's.</p>Frank SobotkaTue, 19 Aug 2008 03:11:59 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174232<p>JONES, JR., EMIL <br>11357 SOUTH LOWE AVENUE<br>CHICAGO, IL 60628 14TH SENATE <br>DEMOCRATIC Withdrawn<br>8/18/2008 3:57 PM</p>Been ThereTue, 19 Aug 2008 00:38:24 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174231<p>When One is an ex-lege, One would not have to be a University President to hit the Pension Lotto.<br>Ask Carol Ronen.</p>Arthur AndersenTue, 19 Aug 2008 00:11:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174230<p>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.</p>Silent MajorityTue, 19 Aug 2008 00:05:55 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174229<p>It's sad that Emil's legacy will be "The Biggest Supporter" of the soon to be indicted Governor.</p>SadMon, 18 Aug 2008 22:37:06 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174228<p>So, Gregor, he may have been creating his own golden parachute with the taxpayers money, interesting.</p>Concerned VoterMon, 18 Aug 2008 22:20:14 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174227<p>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.</p>GregorMon, 18 Aug 2008 22:14:49 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174226<p>Wow, and I thought Emil needed to stick around for the pay raise.</p><p>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.</p><p>OK Illinois Republicans, lets see how you react to this opportunity.</p>Concerned VoterMon, 18 Aug 2008 21:51:19 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174225<p>Can we start calling him "Threemil" now? Or should we wait until he's sworn in?</p>47th WardMon, 18 Aug 2008 21:37:29 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174224<p>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.</p>SouthernIllinoisanMon, 18 Aug 2008 21:14:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174223<p>==="Senator Obama is confident he will continue to serve the people of Illinois in retirement.”===</p><p>Is that a slap or a compliment? Nice ambiguous statement from Sen. Obama's Illinois communications guru. *LOL*</p>Fan of the GameMon, 18 Aug 2008 19:45:02 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174222<p>Disgusted, that's exactly what I heard from someone who was there.</p>Chicago CynicMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:44:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174221<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>This is the problem.</p>Chicago CynicMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:43:48 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174220<p>CC, woulda, coulda, shoulda. HeckifIknow.</p>Rich MillerMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:33:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174219<p>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.</p>DisgustedMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:30:39 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174218<p>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?</p>Chicago CynicMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:26:25 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174217<p>Pay raise would've been next term. So the answer is no.</p>Rich MillerMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:06:51 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174216<p>Rich,If the pay raises had gone into effect, would Jones's increase in salary effected his pension?</p>connieMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:57:27 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174215<p>EJJr. has very little to trade right now. Once you make that announcement, the world passes you by.</p>Rich MillerMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:51:00 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174214<p>Been There,<br>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.</p>BillMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:48:05 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174213<p>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.</p><p>Who knows what about Cullerton and his relationship with the Gov and Meeks?</p>GameplanMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:21:34 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174212<p>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.</p>Arthur AndersenMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:15:28 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/08/18/fresh-emil-jones-retirement-thread/#comment-18174211<p>Greg called him and he answered. Oops. lol</p>Rich MillerMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:13:46 -0000