Jones: I voted in support of evening the playing field

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after voting to override the governor’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, an evidence-based school funding reform measure:

“Our governor’s attempt at holding our children’s education hostage is just another political ploy.”

The governor’s plan would strike close to $500 million away from in Chicago Public Schools.

“I voted in support of evening the playing field and delivering a quality education to youth throughout Chicago, as well as the rest of the state.”

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Jones measure designates Aug. 4 as ‘Barack Obama Day’

SPRINGFIELD – Barack Obama may be celebrating his birthday outside the White House this year, but State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) wants to make sure the former president is not forgotten.

Jones passed legislation during the legislative session that designates Aug. 4 of each year as Barack Obama Day in Illinois.

“President Obama is a man who has inspired millions with his decades of dedicated public service,” Jones said. “He deserves to be honored for his continuous hard work for the people of our nation, our state and our communities.”

Obama worked as a community organizer on the south side of Chicago after graduating from Columbia University and was elected to the Illinois State Senate to represent the 13^th District in 1996. As a state senator, he helped pass ethics reform, negotiated welfare reform and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.

The former president went on to be elected to represent Illinois in the United States Senate in 2004 before becoming the first African-American to be elected President of the United States in 2008.

Senate Bill 55 passed unanimously in both houses and Gov. Rauner signed it into law.

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Jones votes to cut lawmaker perks, pay increase

SPRINGFIELD – At a time when Springfield can’t pass a budget, State Senator Emil Jones III declared Illinois legislators should not receive a planned mileage reimbursements or per diem rates, voting to pass such a measure in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“After 700 days without a budget, Illinoisans are feeling pain,” Jones said. “Human service providers, state universities and schools are wondering if they will be able to remain open. How can we take a pay increase in good conscience?”

House Bill 643 freezes the Illinois General Assembly's mileage reimbursement and per diem rates for the upcoming year. In addition, the initiative eliminates the planned cost of living adjustment in the upcoming budget year for the members of the legislature and other offices set by the Compensation Review Board. The comptroller's office states that the cost of living adjustment would be 2.1 percent without the passage of a freeze.

Having passed both chambers with bipartisan support, House Bill 643 awaits the governor’s signature to become law.