*** 11:58 am *** That other post was getting too long, so let’s start anew, shall we?
* According to officials at the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Senate President Emil Jones had $577,605.04 in his personal campaign account as of June 30th, 1998. That’s the cutoff date for being allowed to legally withdraw funds from an account. Money accumulated above and beyond that 6/30/98 date cannot be used for personal stuff.
As of the end of June this year, Jones had $1.6 million in his campaign account. He still owes his campaign fund almost $25,000 for no interest loans.
No word yet about whether he intends to withdraw that $577K (minus the loan repayment) instead of spending it on candidates, but some Tier One targets (Linda Holmes and Gary Forby) may be a bit nervous right now. The Republicans may also be breathing just a wee bit easier, depending on what Jones says today.
By the way, we may not get a press conference. Last night we were told the announcement would take place at two o’clock today, but it might be done via a simple press release. We dont’ know anything because Jones’ spokesperson and his staff aren’t returning phone calls and e-mails.
My former intern, Paul Richardson, is hanging around downtown waiting for word. We’ll have full coverage if there’s a press conference.
*** UPDATE 1 - 12:08 pm *** From Lee Newspapers…
[Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville)] said Senate Democrats from downstate have already been on the phone with each other, forming a plan to have influence in the selection of a replacement for Jones.
‘’We anticipate playing a major role in that,'’ she said. ‘’We’ll be sticking together.'’
They’re sticking together now, but we’ll see how long that lasts. Sen. Clayborne is a Downstater, remember, and a member of the Black Caucus. There’s gonna be a big effort to slice and dice all of the sub-caucuses up, and it won’t be easy to have complete solidarity for any delegation.
*** UPDATE 2 - 12:22 pm *** From ICPR’s blog…
Senate President Jones’ main campaign account is Citizens for Emil Jones. Formed in 1974, it has State ID 188; one of the lowest of the currently active PAC numbers. The committee reported $577,605.04 in cash on hand as of June 30, 1998. That report listed no investments, but it did claim outstanding loans of $3,300, which may be in addition to the cash balance. State law bars candidates from using campaign funds for personal use, but grandfathers funds raised prior to June 30, 1998. So, that’s the amount that President Jones could take from his campaign fund for personal use (provided that he pays income taxes on it).
It’s worth noting that Sen. Jones is not required to take any money from the PAC for personal use; it’s strictly up to him. Nor does he have to take any action any time soon; he has until the committee dissolves, whenever that may be.
*** UPDATE 3 - 1:09 pm *** Sen. Rickey Hendon is having a press conference right about now. Paul is in a cab on his way. Hopefully we’ll have some audio or notes.
*** UPDATE 4 - 1:31 pm *** It sounds like we’re just going to get a written statement from Jones sometime after 2 o’clock.
*** UPDATE 5 - 1:36 pm *** Crain’s scores an exclusive interview…
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr. is confirming that he will step down when his current term expires in November.
In an interview over his cell phone, Mr. Jones said he’s wanted to retire for a long time but had been restrained by friends and allies. […]
“I’ve never run away from a fight,” Mr. Jones said, adding that he wanted to retire three years ago but “friends and family” convinced him to reconsider.
And here’s the son stuff…
Mr. Jones confirmed that he’d like his son to succeed him in Springfield. “That would be nice,” he said. But he declined to elaborate, saying only that, “more than likely,” he would resign his [ballot] position and be replaced on the November ballot by his son. [All emphasis added]
*** UPDATE 6 - 1:40 pm *** Press release from Sen. Jeff Schoenberg…
The unanticipated news that Senate President Emil Jones will announce his retirement later today provides an opportunity for Illinois Senate Democrats to have a fresh start in setting the state’s agenda. Senate Democrats need leadership that is more open and transparent and which works toward consensus in solving the state’s most pressing problems.
I hope to be a major part of the that effort. Thanks to your support and encouragement, I will continue to fight for those priorities and the values we share.
*** UPDATE 7 - 2:32 pm *** Sen. Hendon’s press conference sounded like a pretty staid affair. Hendon lavished praise on Senate President Jones and said he was qualified to succeed Jones because of his position as chairman of the Rules Committee, his being “faithful” to Jones for all these years and his work on behalf of the mass transit bailout, among other stuff.
Hendon said he could work with all of the “eight or nine” other candidates for the Senate presidency, including Sen. John Cullerton, whom Hendon denied was too close to House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Hendon said he would continue to “loyally” serve Jones until he’s gone and then see what might happen.
*** UPDATE 8 - 3:05 pm *** Senate President Jones has issued his statement.
There’s not much to it, but here’s the complete text…
PRESIDENT JONES WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER SENATE TERM
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. said today that he will retire at the end of his current term in the Illinois Senate. President Jones is the longest serving Democratic Caucus leader since the 1970 Illinois Constitution. He has served as Senate President since 2003.
“I want to thank the many people throughout the years who have honored me by sending me to Springfield to represent them, as well as the members of the Democratic Caucus who have elected me their leader for the past 15 years. This has been a great privilege to work on behalf of the people of Illinois for over 35 years,” President Jones said.
“I want to thank my leadership team and my colleagues in the Senate who worked with me side-by-side to accomplish many things for the people of Illinois,” President Jones said. “My staff has also provided incredible support and an extraordinary effort on behalf of all of the members.”
President Jones was first elected to the Illinois House in 1972 and to the Illinois Senate in 1983. He was elected Senate Minority Leader in 1993 when Democrats had 27 members. In 2007 as Senate President he led Senate Democrats to capture 37 seats – an unprecedented gain of five seats for a veto proof majority in a non-redistricting year. 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.
Under President Jones’ leadership in Fiscal Year 2008 education received the largest one-year increase in per student funding in the history of the state — $400 per student — $600 million overall in education funding. From 2003 to present, a $196 million increase was provided to early childhood education funding.
President Jones also shepherded the passage of one of the most comprehensive reform measures of the criminal justice system in the history of the State through the Illinois Senate. Among the many substantive changes to the criminal justice system spearheaded by Senator Jones was legislation to videotape interrogations in capital cases. This single piece of legislation put Illinois at the forefront of the nation as the first state to require that interrogations in capital cases be videotaped.
Additional significant legislation that President Jones sponsored or guided through the General Assembly during his 35 year legislative career includes legislation to require state law enforcement officials to collect data on racial profiling; a bill to require equal pay for equal work; a prescription drug discount program for senior and disabled citizens; two increases in the minimum wage; legislation that directed millions of state dollars for disadvantaged public school students to classroom needs, rather than administrative needs; legislation to double the personal exemption on the state income tax in 1998 to benefit working families who had not received an increase since 1969; and an effort to secure an individual’s right to choose a clinical social worker over a psychiatrist.
*** UPDATE 9 - 3:42 pm *** Statement from Gov. Rod Blagojevich…
“Over the last five and a half years as governor, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Senate President Emil Jones.
The accomplishments I am most proud of – making Illinois the first state in the nation to provide access to health care to all children, access to pre-school for all three and four-year-olds, and investing a record amount of money in education without raising taxes on people – would not have happened without the leadership and support of Emil Jones.
Emil Jones used his position as Senate President to give those without a voice better health care, better funded schools and increases in the minimum wage.
Emil Jones is a man with a big heart and a man of action. He is a true champion of the people. He didn’t just do the talk, he did the walk. All of us in Illinois owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
*** UPDATE 10 - 5:02 pm *** Statement from Justin DeJong, Illinois Director of Communications, Obama for America…
“Senator Jones has been a passionate advocate who has fought for working families and the underprivileged for more than three decades, and Senator Obama is confident he will continue to serve the people of Illinois in retirement.”
Notice, this was not from BHO himself.