Illinois Senate president retiring

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SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Emil Jones, a product of the Chicago Democratic machine who helped Barack Obama reach the U.S. Senate, said Monday that he is stepping down as Illinois Senate president. Jones, who has spent 3.5 decades in the General Assembly, said in a statement he will not seek re-election in November and plans to serve until his term ends in January. His departure means Gov. Rod Blagojevich will lose his staunchest ally amid Springfield's feuds and gridlock. And Jones' lame-duck status further reduces the chance of any significant action this fall on a statewide construction program or any other contentious issue. Jones, who will be 73 in October, declined comment when reached by The Associated Press. "This has been a great privilege to work on behalf of the people of Illinois for over 35 years," Jones' statement said. Possible successors to Jones immediately began lining up support. They include Sens. Terry Link of Waukegan, John Cullerton and Rickey Hendon of Chicago, James Clayborne of Belleville, Don Harmon of Oak Park and Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston. Blagojevich has depended on Jones to block legislation he opposed and pass bills intended to embarrass or pressure his nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. At times, Jones had to press Senate Democrats to go along with the governor. Most recently, Jones pushed through the Senate several Blagojevich budget measures, including a multibillion-dollar capital construction plan that the House refused to approve. Blagojevich won't be able to count on that kind of coziness with the new president. "Can I work with the governor? Yes," Link said. "I can work with Attila the Hun if I have to." Blagojevich said in a statement that Jones "used his position as Senate President to give those without a voice better health care, better funded schools and increases in the minimum wage." "Emil Jones is a man with a big heart and a man of action," Blagojevich said. "He is a true champion of the people." Jones is one of the more influential blacks in Illinois political history and a leading advocate for education reform. He also said he was proud of his work on criminal justice reform. Jones fought nonstop for billions of dollars more for public schools during the past half-decade, but his hopes to make education funding fairer by basing it on income taxes instead of property taxes have failed because of Blagojevich's no-tax-hike pledge. But it is Jones' relationship with another Illinois Democrat that might be the most politically important. Jones had a big hand in Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate win by introducing the then little-known liberal state senator to the right people and letting him handle some important legislation to help raise his political profile. "Sen. Jones has been a passionate advocate who has fought for working families and the underprivileged," Obama campaign spokesman Justin DeJong said. The son of a Chicago Democratic precinct captain, Jones began his political career working for John F. Kennedy in 1960. Seven years later he went to work as an alderman's assistant. His career included 30 years on the city payroll, 20 with the Sewer Department, where he retired as an inspector in 1993. He denied wrongdoing when in 1997 the city released federal subpoenas in a ghost-payrolling investigation that included requests for records regarding his employment. He was never charged. He lost Democratic primary bids for a congressional seat in 1988 and 1995. During his years in the General Assembly, Jones often kept up the traditions of old-school politicians. He has steered state money to a few favored institutions, including some that employ his relatives. Some of his relatives also have gotten state jobs and his wife's government salary got a sizable boost after he became Senate president in 2003, when the Blagojevich administration created a special salary class. Jones also has played an important role in blocking ethics legislation in Illinois, finally allowing a vote last spring on banning "pay-to-play" politics, a central theme of federal investigators examining Blagojevich's practices. Jones filed paperwork to remove his name from the ballot on Monday afternoon, said spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer, adding that ward committeemen will decide his replacement. Jones would like his son, Emil III, to replace him, Davidsmeyer said. Those hoping to replace Jones as president started lining up support Monday. Cullerton said he would work to "change the climate" and invite better cooperation with the House and Blagojevich. Hendon hopes loyalty to Jones helps his chances. "I've fallen on every sword he needed me to fall on," Hendon said. Candidates emerge as Jones steps down Illinois Senate President Emil Jones announced Monday that he will retire when his term ends in January. The talk immediately turned to which Senate Democrat might replace him in the top job. The contenders include: - James Clayborne: A black Belleville resident, Clayborne might be able to win support both from black senators and downstate senators. Clayborne is best known for his work on complex regulatory issues such as electric rates and cable television competition. - John Cullerton: Cullerton has served in the General Assembly since 1979, representing the north side of Chicago and specializing in judicial issues such as death penalty reform. He may have closer ties to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and House Speaker Michael Madigan than the other contenders. - Don Harmon: A relative newcomer, having served since 2003, the Oak Park resident sponsored legislation sent to the governor this summer that would ban large state contractors from contributing money to politicians handing out the contracts. - Rickey Hendon: Nicknamed "Hollywood" for his flashy style and long-ago involvement with a movie production, Hendon has been Jones' most faithful lieutenant in recent years. - Terry Link: The Waukegan resident chairs the Senate Democrats' suburban caucus, a region that holds the most growth potential for the party. He's served in the Legislature since 1997. - Jeff Schoenberg: The Evanston resident has frequently spoken out on ethics and civil rights issues. He has tried to improve the Toll Highway Authority and overhaul state purchasing rules.