Emil Jones Retiring?

By Margaret Lyons in News on Aug 18, 2008 5:12PM

State Senate President Emil Jones is expected to announce his retirement today, even though his office hasn't confirmed that yet. He's 72, and has been a state legislator since 1973; he became senate president in 2003.

In many ways, Jones has kept up the traditions of old-school politicians. During his years in the General Assembly, 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.

Jones also has played an important role in blocking ethics legislation in Illinois.

Who wouldn't want that kind of career epitaph? Jones's retirement certainly frees up his schedule, but it also really screws Governor Blagojevich, whose cheering section, upon Jones's exit, will contain zero people. [WBEZ, Trib, AP, S-T]