| John O. Jones | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 54th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2003 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 8, 1940 Broughton, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mimi |
| Profession | State Legislator |
| Religion | Protestant |
John O. Jones is a Republican member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 54th district since 2003. Jones previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 2002. Jones was lead sponsor of landmark senior citizen prescription assistance legislation that expanded the Circuit Breaker program by increasing the income eligibility requirements; member of Woodlands Task Force which protected landowners from skyrocketing property taxes on vacant woodland, grassland and wetlands; sponsored education reform bill creating a base level funding for each student; sponsored comprehensive legislation to revitalize the coal industry in Illinois and he has been a strong advocate for township government, school construction funding and ethanol promotion. Jones is currently a lead sponsor of Senate Bill 3447 which seeks to amend the Illinois Human Rights Act of 2005(IHRA)to expand the ability of religious institutions and businesses associated with them to practice employment discrimination against tax paying Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered American citizens.
Contents |
Committees on Licensed Activities (Minority Spokesperson); Agriculture and Conservation; Commerce and Economic Development; Judiciary Criminal Law; State Government and Veterans Affairs
Served on the Bluford Grade School Board for eight years, including four years as President. Member of the North East Water District Board for 10 years.
Friend of 4-H - Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Illinois Agriculture Association Activator - Friend of Agriculture Award, Friend of the Family Award, CARES Advisory Council - Carpe Diem Award, Guardian of Small Business Award, Illinois HomeCare Council - Legislator of the Year, Illinois Firefighters Association – Legislator of the Year, Township Officials of Illinois – Legislator of the Year, Township Officials of Effingham County – Legislator of the Year, Illinois Civil Justice League’s - Friend of Fairness.
Married to Mimi, father to Natalie and Aaron, and grandfather of five. Born in Broughton, Illinois. Graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1958. Veteran-U.S. Air Force, 1959-1963. Member of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and Mt. Vernon Christian Church