Emil Jones

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Emil Jones
Member of the Illinois State Senate from the 14th district
In office 1983 -
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	October 18, 1935 (age 71) Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dr. Lorrie Jones
Religion	Roman Catholic

Emil Jones, Jr. (born October 18, 1935), Democratic politician, has been a member of the Illinois General Assembly since 1973 and is currently the president of the Illinois State Senate.

During his time in service, he has advocated for issues including funding public education and social justice in Illinois. Senator Jones was also instrumental in helping Senator Barack Obama with his election to the United States Senate^{[citation needed]}. A life-long resident of Chicago, he is married to Dr. Lorrie Jones. He and his late wife Patricia had four children.

Senator Jones began his political career in 1973, when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. He served in that capacity from 1973 to 1983. During that time he served as the Chairman of the Insurance Committee and was an Assistant Democratic Leader. In 1982 he was elected to the Illinois Senate. In addition to being the president of the Senate, he also serves as a member of the Executive Committee.

Prior to public service, Senator Jones studied at Chicago's Tilden Technical High School, where he graduated in 1953. He went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree from the Loop Junior College (now Harold Washington College). Thereafter he attended Roosevelt University, where he majored in Business Administration.

In 2004, Roosevelt University awarded Senator Jones with a Doctorate of Humane Letters Honoris Causa Degree. Chicago State University also awarded Senator Jones with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Senator Jones is a member of the Forum of Senate Presidents' Board of Directors and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation's Board of Directors.