Emil Jones, Jr. joined Mercury Public Affairs in 2009 and leads the firm’s operations in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Jones served as President of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2009, a position that culminated more than three decades of service in the Illinois legislature. Recognized as one of the most effective political leaders in Illinois state history, Mr. Jones left an unparalleled legacy of achievement, making lasting contributions throughout the state, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and criminal justice.
Mr. Jones was the first Senate President in recent history to establish a bipartisan select committee on Education Funding Reform. In 2007, he secured an additional $600 million in public education funding, the largest increase in the state’s history, increasing funding for every public school student by $400. Mr. Jones also led efforts to reduce the number of uninsured citizens by spearheading the Governor’s “All Kids” initiative to offer healthcare to all children. In 2008, he passed legislation allowing the elderly and disabled throughout Illinois to travel on the state’s mass transit system for free. And he established a prescription drug discount program that reduced prescription drug prices for the elderly and disabled by up to 40 percent.
In the tax arena, in 1998, Mr. Jones was the first legislative leader to call for the doubling of the personal exemption on Illinois income tax, which had not been increased since 1969. His legislation expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2000, creating a tax reduction for the state’s poorest citizens. He also twice led the effort to increase the state’s minimum wage from 2003 to 2010.
As Senate Democratic Leader, he called for a moratorium on the death penalty, and in 2003, he introduced a reform package for the Illinois Criminal Justice System requiring the videotaping of interrogations in capital murder cases. Working across the aisle, Mr. Jones also led the passage of a $25 billion capital plan that secured federal dollars to build and rebuild Illinois’ schools, roads, bridges and highways, and secured more than $130 million in funding for needed projects throughout Illinois.
Mr. Jones served as a member of the Illinois General Assembly for 36 years, from 1973-2009, including 16 consecutive years as leader of the Caucus, with 10 years as Democratic Leader and six years as Senate President. He was elected to the Senate in 1982 after previously serving in the Illinois House of Representatives for 10 years, where he was both Assistant Democratic Leader and Chairman of the Insurance Committee.
Mr. Jones graduated from Chicago’s Tilden Technical High School in 1953 followed by Loop Junior College. He attended Roosevelt University and graduated from Chicago State University, and he has received Doctorate in Human Letters Honoris Causa degrees from both institutions. A lifelong resident of Chicago’s South Side, Mr. Jones serves on the board of directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, is a former Boy Scout Master, 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 and the Shriners. He is a 33rd Degree Mason. Mr. Jones has four children and is married to Dr. Lorrie Jones.