Democrat Illinois State Senator Emil Jones III represents residents in Chicago (District 14). He is the Secretary of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and currently running for re-election in 2022.
His Congressional record reflects his commitment to the state and his 14th District constituents. At 43, Sen. Jones III has served his district for over a decade. He is running for another term in the upcoming 2022 election.
His current committee assignments are Energy and Public Utilities; Public Safety, Transportation, Redistricting – South Chicago, and more.
Senator Jone’s Achievements
Sen. Jones III sponsored over 50 other bills during the 102nd General Assembly. They fall under several categories but many of the Bills address health issues, crime, and public safety for example SB-0126, which would amend the Election Code was referred to the Assignments Committee; SB-1078 amended the Illinois Physical Therapy Act to include a specialized training requirement for acupuncture or dry needling.
Jones III passed legislation to keep children safe from careless drivers. The bill that amends the Illinois Vehicle Code passed both Houses on April 7, 2021. Once Gov. JB Pritzker signs it into law, the fine for speeding in park zones is the same as in school zones. The bill also “clarifies that school zone speed limits apply to local, county, and state roadways.”
Sen. Jones III explained why he sponsored HB-5328:
Parents should have the peace of mind that when their student is at school or at the park playing or running around with friends that they’re safe from reckless drivers. When children are outside, drivers must be cautious and careful behind the wheel.
The Senator recently addressed men’s health care by co-sponsoring legislation that would mandate private insurance companies to provide free annual prostate cancer screenings for all qualifying male policyholders.
One in seven Black men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime, they are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with this disease than white men and 2.1 times as likely to die. “This life-saving screening can make the difference in someone’s life and should be more accessible,” Jones III said. The legislation passed both houses and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Another bill addresses the climate crisis. SB-1724 would create a cigarette filter ban was referred to the Assignments Committee. Once this legislation is passed, “a cigarette shall not utilize a single-use filter containing acetate, another plastic material, or any non-biodegradable material.”
The state legislature approved the redistricting of new legislative maps on Aug. 31, 2021. The governor signed the new district boundaries into law in September.
The Senator’s current term ends in January 2023. The Democrat primary is scheduled for June 28, 2022.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Illinois Senate Democrats: Jones measure to change speeding in parks the same fine as a school zone
Zero Cancer: African Americans and Prostate Cancer
Illinois General Assembly: Bills Status 102nd General Assembly
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Emil Jones III – Facebook
Inset Image by Daniel Schwen Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
