The Honorable Emil Jones just celebrated his 90th birthday. His life has been amazing as a political trailblazer, a mentor and a champion for justice. He served in the Illinois House of Represenatives from 1973 to 1983 and in the Illinois Senate from 1983 to 2009. He has been a lifelong advocate for education, labor rights and economic empowerment. He remains a defining figure in Chicago’s political and civic history. He has been a consequential figure in Chicago/Illinois politics. He is best known for mentoring a young Senator Barack Obama to the White House. He has opened doors for Black enterprise. Congressman Jonathan Jackson captured his political essence. “His leadership reminds us what it means to serve with integrity, courage and a heart for the people.”
I interviewed the Senator to get his take on the world today and his reflections of service.
The Honorable Emil Jones and Businesses He Help Fund: The Children’s Musuem in Bronzeville, The Little Black Pearl, The Center on Halsted Street, The Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center at CSU, and The DuSable Museum (All Photos Courtesy of Instagram)
N’DIGO: What is the most valuable lesson you learned from holding powerful positions in public office most importantly the President of the Senate? The Honorable Emile Jones served as President of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2009.
The Honorable Emil Jones: The main lesson I learned is, if you do for people and if your goal is to look out for people then you feel good and in the later part of your life, you realize you have helped somebody. Government serves as a means to which I was able to help Black enterprises and institutions to grow and developed. Before my tenure there were excuses to exclude minority businesses from government resources.
For, example all of pension systems have money managers. I discovered the minority money. Minority financial companies were not recognized to participate in money management. I changed that. Now Illinois is the only state in the union where minority money managers participate in managing the funds of the various pension systems. Cultural institutions were not fully funded. I funded the expansion of the DuSable Museum, and built buildings for expansion at Chicago State University, Little Black Pearl, The Center on Halsted Street, and many more. A stadium for Jackie Robinson Little League was appropriated funds. The Children Museum in Bronzeville was funded. The History Makers became substantial from our funding to provide the real history about Black legislators.
What advice do you offer to today’s politicians?
It is not how long you serve. But what did you do when you served. What can you account for. When you are in office follow the dollars. Make sure a slice of the dollar goes back to your community. I was able to divest pension funds from South Africa. I passed legislation to this effect. Other states followed suit. Other countries began to do the same. It was economic pressure that forced the apartheid regime to release Nelson Mandela. The sanctions were effective.
All Images Courtesy of X
What happened to the National Democratic Party?
They ran into a situation where they always follow the rules and the opposition does not follow the rules. They would be more successful NOT following the rules. The Black community must demand results. Get the job done, not so much rhetoric.
How do we restore, reclaim the Democratic Party?
You must play the same game the opposition is playing. Democrats play a fair game. The Republicans don’t play a fair game. They play what is in their best interest.
What are your thoughts on redistricting Illinois?
Other states are redistricting Republicans. There are 17 democratic districts in Illinois and only 3 Republican districts. The Democrats could take one of those districts. The question is whether they do it. We are playing in a national field. What we do will affect the nation. Illinois has to do its jobs to make sure that we don’t lose a district. We have to learn how to play an unfair game.
Who would you like to see run on the Democratic ticket for President?
It is too early to tell who could emerge as the person who could bring everybody together. We are too far away to tell.
Do you think Trump will manuever the courts to allow him to run a third term?
He will attempt to do it. Democrats would not do that.
If he does, that means Barack Obama could run again too. Do you think he would run again if possible?
I don’t know if Barack wants to be bothered with such an awesome task.
What is the secret to political success?
You must learn everything you can about your opposition. Then you can succeed. If you don’t know your opposition, you will fail every time.
Would you consider running for office again?
No, not at this stage. Ain’t no way. I feel good that I was able to do the things I did. I had impact on many people. Turning 90 and looking back over the years, I feel good.
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November 17, 2025 at 11:23AM
Illinois Delivered 