More of the same in IL Politics

Senate President Emil Jones is retiring at the end of his term in early January. Ho hum. I should be happy that an ally of the great gov'na Blago is stepping aside. Perhaps he knows something.

Jones officially announced his retirement on Monday.

Jones wants his son, Emil Jones III, to replace him.

Sound familiar?

It is up to the Democratic committeemen to decide who replaces Jones on the November 4th ballot as the Democratic candidate. Let's face it, that spot for the 14 District Chicago seat is owned by the Democrats unless something dire happens, so this amounts to a royal appointment.

Jones would have great impact as to how that selection gets made even without a vote.

The primary is long gone and the timing of this move leaves other potential candidates in the lurch. Perhaps a stronger Republican would have tossed his or her hat in the ring if Jones was never going to be on the ballot. Perhaps a Democrat would have chosen to run in the primary. Perhaps the winner of the primary would actually be representing the Democratic voters in the Nov. 4 election.

Jones has a history. Don't we all. Let's review....

Emil Jones III was granted an administrator-level state gig as a regional manager at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with an annual pull of almost $60,000. He has no college degree. That's making the most of opportunity.

Jones advocated a 7.5% pay raise for himself and his senate pals. This comes after the July 1 cost-of-living increase of 3.8% they were granted. Said Jones, "I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise." Two years ago Jones didn't allow a vote to reject pay raises until after the election, at which time Jones and Co. defeated a move to reject pay raises. I guess he'll have to settle for his state pension.

Jones will be eligible for over $500,000 of the $1.6 million of his campaign funds to be converted to personal use, if taxes are paid, according to a state law enacted in 1998.

Jones blocked mandatory disclosure of subcontracts while his stepson's firm was the beneficiary of
state contracts.

Jones supported ComEd rate hikes last year while other politicians took contributions from utilities during the negotiations.

Jones' office received a federal subpoena in 2003 alleging that his state staff performed campaign work on state time.

This is how it's done people. Don't turn your back on them and check your pockets when you walk away. I won't claim the man never did a lick of good, but let's keep our eye on the till here.

The State of Illinois is facing serious financial turmoil and a rat's nest of inefficiency. These fuckers are the problem, not the solution.