Thaddeus Jones (politician)

Thaddeus Jones
Mayor of Calumet City, Illinois
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 1, 2021
Preceded byMichelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2011 (2011-January-12)
Preceded byDavid E. Miller
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Calumet City, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materLoyola University
ProfessionFull Time Legislator
Websitehttp://www.repthaddeusjones.com/

Thaddeus Jones is an American politician, currently serving as both the Illinois state representative for the 29th district and as the mayor of Calumet City, Illinois. The 29th district includes all or parts of Chicago, Dolton, South Holland, Lansing, Calumet City, Thornton, Glenwood, Sauk Village, Steger, Crete and Monee.[1] Jones is a member of the Democratic Party.

Political career

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Jones' first position in elective office was as Calumet City's 3rd ward alderman from 1997 to 2007.[2] His first year in state office began in 2011, after beating primary opponent Sheryl Tillman for the 29th district seat by 24 points, and Green Party candidate Kenny Williams by 66 points in the 2010 Illinois General election.[3]

In 2017, Jones resigned from his role with his eponymous Jones Foundation for using charitable donations for campaign finance purposes.[4]

In 2021, Jones become the first Black mayor of Calumet City, after beating 18-year incumbent mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush. The election was fiercely-contested, with both sides alleging foul play against each other. The Qualkinbush team accused Jones of falsifying his residency to meet eligibility requirements, while the Jones campaign cited their opponents' lack of reporting on an estimated $80,000 in public funds spent on mailers calling for his ballot ineligibility.[5] Jones' victory and inauguration were subject to judicial challenge which initially overturned the results, but this judgment was eventually appealed and affirmed in the Supreme Court of Illinois. Jones beat a write-in candidate Tony Quiroz on April 6, and will simultaneously hold the 29th district Illinois statehouse seat while acting as Calumet City mayor.[6][7] He was sworn in May 1, 2021.[8]

As of July 3, 2022, Representative Jones is a member of the following Illinois House committees:[9]

  • Family Law & Probate Subcommittee (HJAU-FLAW)
  • (Chairman of) Insurance Committee (HINS)
  • Judiciary - Civil Committee (HJUA)
  • Labor & Commerce Committee (HLBR)
  • Minority Impact Analysis Subcommittee (HLBR-MIAS)
  • Prescription Drug Affordability Committee (HPDA)
  • (Co-chairman of) Special Issues (INS) Subcommittee (HINS-SPIS)
  • Workforce Development Subcommittee (HLBR-WORK)

Personal life

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According to his official website, Jones has two sons, and lives with his wife Saprina in Calumet City.[10]

Electoral history

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Illinois 29th State House District Democratic Primary, 2010[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones 7,908 62.02
Democratic Sheryl E. Tillman 4,843 37.98
Total votes 12,751 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District General Election, 2010[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones 24,762 83.01
Green Kenneth "Kenny" Williams 5,067 16.99
Total votes 29,829 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District General Election, 2012[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 40,000 100.0
Total votes 40,000 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District Democratic Primary, 2014[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 5,468 73.23
Democratic Kenneth "Kenny" Williams 1,999 26.77
Total votes 7,467 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District General Election, 2014[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 27,637 100.0
Total votes 27,637 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District Democratic Primary, 2016[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 17,934 65.30
Democratic Kenneth "Kenny" Williams 6,030 21.96
Democratic Wilbur "Will" Tillman 3,501 12.75
Total votes 27,465 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District General Election, 2016[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 42,740 100.0
Total votes 42,740 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District Democratic Primary, 2018[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 11,021 64.23
Democratic Corean Davis 6,137 35.77
Total votes 17,158 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District General Election, 2018[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 33,109 100.0
Total votes 33,109 100.0
Illinois 29th State House District Democratic Primary, 2020[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus Jones (incumbent) 10,820 54.45
Democratic DeAndre Tillman 9,053 45.55
Total votes 19,873 100.0

References

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  1. ^ Veeneman, Drew. "29th House District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  2. ^ Nolan, Mike (11 February 2021). "Appellate Court puts state Rep. Thaddeus Jones back on ballot in Calumet City mayoral race". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  3. ^ https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/2010/ByCounty/2010GPOfficialVote.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ Koeske, Zak (22 September 2017). "State lawmaker resigns from personal charity". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  5. ^ Slowik, Ted (20 October 2020). "Column: Dirt flies as Calumet City feud threatens to sink into ugly political brawl". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  6. ^ Team, ABC 7 Chicago Digital (2021-05-02). "Thaddeus Jones becomes the first Black mayor of Calumet City; defeats incumbent Mayor Michelle Markiewicz". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2021-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ michael.clark@nwi.com, 219-933-4197, Mike Clark (8 March 2021). "Supreme Court ruling paves way for Thaddeus Jones to become Calumet City mayor". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Thaddeus Jones Took Office Today As Calumet City's First Black Mayor –". Illinois Leaks. 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  9. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees". ilga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  10. ^ "Biography Thaddeus Jones". www.repthaddeusjones.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  11. ^ White, Daniel W. (Executive Director) (November 7, 2006). Official Vote Cast at the Primary Election February 2, 2010. Illinois State Board of Elections. p. 96. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Official Vote Cast at the General Election November 2, 2010. Illinois State Board of Elections. November 7, 2006. p. 73. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  13. ^ "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  14. ^ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  15. ^ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  16. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  17. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  18. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  20. ^ "Election Results 2020 General Primary". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
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