Illinois politician who mentored Obama to retire

[August 19, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Emil Jones, a product of the Chicago Democratic machine who helped Barack Obama reach the U.S. Senate and has been Gov. Rod Blagojevich's staunchest ally, said Monday he will retire from the Illinois Senate, of which he is president.

Jones, who has spent 35 years 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. The 72-year-old declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Jones' decision leaves a power vacuum in a state marked by discord among its Democratic leaders and means the unpopular Blagojevich is losing one of his most important political allies. His decision already has set off a scramble among Senate Democrats to replace him.

It also means the state is losing one of its most powerful black politicians and a leading advocate for education reform.

Jones had a big hand in Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate win by introducing the then-little-known 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.

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 Democratic 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. Jones' lame-duck status reduces the chance of any significant action this fall on that contentious issue or any other.

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."

Blagojevich won't be able to count on the same kind of coziness with the new president.

"Can I work with the governor? Yes," said one of those seeking the job, Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan. "I can work with Attila the Hun if I have to."

In many ways, Jones has 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.

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.

Possible successors for Jones' post as Senate president immediately began lining up support. Besides Link, they include Sens. John Cullerton and Rickey Hendon of Chicago, James Clayborne of Belleville, Don Harmon of Oak Park and Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston.

[Associated Press; By JOHN O'CONNOR]

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