12:32 PM
Emil Jones, Illinois State Senate President, has announced his intentions to retire, probably at the end of 2008. This has come as a surprise to many since Barack Obama once served with Jones in the state senate. The Democrat National Convention is next week in Denver.
One source said that Jones is tired and is coming to an end in the legislature. Jones has served since 1973 and has been senate president since January 2003. The formal announcement is expected sometime today.
Here is a link to the source article.
Jones garnered criticism from the fact that he funneled no-bid state contracts to a tech firm headed by his stepson. Judicial Watch recently filed suit against Jones for ignoring Freedom of Information Act requests on legislative earmarked appropriations that weren't segregated in the state budget.
One source said that Jones is tired and is coming to an end in the legislature. Jones has served since 1973 and has been senate president since January 2003. The formal announcement is expected sometime today.
Here is a link to the source article.
Jones garnered criticism from the fact that he funneled no-bid state contracts to a tech firm headed by his stepson. Judicial Watch recently filed suit against Jones for ignoring Freedom of Information Act requests on legislative earmarked appropriations that weren't segregated in the state budget.