The Republicans just won't give up the fight to regain control of the Illinois Senate, and Democratic Senate President Emil Jones Jr. (D-14th) plans to deal them another defeat.
Jones is all over the state defending the Democratic majority in the Legislature while he also is up for re-election in his own district on Tuesday. Currently, there are 33 Democrats and 26 Republicans in the Illinois Senate.
The Illinois Republican Party is pouring buckets of money into targeted Democratic districts across the state to chip away at Jones's Senate majority.
Jones told me that one of those on the GOP hit list is state Sen. Gary Forby (D-59th) in Benton, which historically has voted Democratic.
"Forby served in the Illinois House of Representatives (and) his district is composed of working class people," Jones said. "Because he is a freshman senator, the Republicans have targeted him. But he should win and he is right on the issues of education and the farm community."
Jones is also keeping a close watch on the race of John Sullivan (D-47th) western Illinois' Rushville.
"He is a high quality candidate and came out strong on the issues that relate to farmers in his district. Sullivan should win, the people in the district like him and he is a hard worker," said Jones.
Jones' majority, unlike past Democratic Senate Presidents Tom Hynes, Phillip Rock, and Cecil Partee, seemingly is split between downstate and Chicago Senate districts.
"We have a balance, but I have to work with diverse groups such as the suburbs, downstate, and urban areas like Chicago. We all have to work together in a cohesive way. My job as the leader is to get them to work together for the common good. That is how I have been able to pull together this majority," stated Jones.
"As the President of the Senate, I am able to get more done, because I control the agenda. We reformed the criminal justice system, passed minimum wage and equal pay laws. My entire Democratic Caucus gave strong support for funding of public education and increased funding for health care. These issues will continue throughout my tenure as president."
Prior to Jones taking over, most of these reform laws were held in the Senate Rules Committee by the Republicans. They know the importance of Senate control and continue to target several other Democratic Senate Districts for defeat.
The 29th Senate District currently held by Senator Susan Garrett from Lake Forest has been targeted too.
"The district is an affluent community on the North Shore. She is a hard worker and the Republicans have targeted the district for defeat, but with my strong support, she should easily win re-election," said Jones.
The Republicans have also targeted Jones' assistant majority leader, Senator Patrick Welch's 38th district, located in LaSalle-Peru (central Illinois).
"Welch has been a senator for more than 20 years," Jones said. "Although the district tends to be Republican, he should win. They run against him every time he is up for re-election. I am confident we will defeat the Republicans," said Jones.
Jones Democratic majority has proven fairness and great benefits to Illinoisans across the state. The past Republican Senate unabashedly stood in the way of the best interest of working people in this state. On Tuesday, vote and ensure that the Republicans fail.
Melvin Caldwell is a columnist for the Chicago Defender. He can be reached at Melvincaldwell@aol.com.
Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.
Photograph (Emil Jones)
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