Curtis J. Jones Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Curtis J. Jones Jr.
Jones in 2016
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 4th District
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2008
Preceded by	Carol Campbell
Personal details
Born	1956/1957 (age 67–68) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Political party	Democratic

Curtis J. Jones Jr. is an American politician who serves on the Philadelphia City Council. He is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2007, he was chosen by voters to represent the 4th District. This district includes parts of North, Northwest, and West Philadelphia. He has held important leadership roles in the City Council, including Majority Leader and Majority Whip.

About Curtis J. Jones Jr.

Early Life and Education

Curtis J. Jones Jr. grew up in West Philadelphia. When he was 15, he was part of a street group. However, he changed his life with help from Falaka Fattah and the House of Umoja. He said that this group helped him understand the importance of community.

As a young person, he was an activist. He helped start the Youth Movement to Clean Up Politics. He also worked at the House of Umoja, which is a group that helps young people. He became a Muslim when he was in high school.

Jones went to Overbrook High School. He also took classes at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government.

Family Life

Curtis J. Jones Jr. lives in the Overbrook Farms neighborhood of Philadelphia. In September 2021, his son passed away while waiting for an organ transplant. Jones shared that his son's medical care was delayed because the hospital's intensive care unit was very full.

His Work in Public Service

Early Career Steps

In 1979, when he was 22, Jones ran for a city official position in Philadelphia. He did not win that election. Later, he worked for the Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

In 1987, he planned to run for a city official role again. However, he decided not to and instead became a staff director. He worked for a council that helped businesses owned by minority groups. In 1992, he became the president and CEO of the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation. He worked there for 15 years.

Joining the City Council

In 2007, Jones decided to run for a seat on the Philadelphia City Council. He ran against the person who was already in office, Carol Ann Campbell. Jones won the election and became the representative for the 4th Council District.

He has been re-elected several times, including in 2011, 2015, and 2019. During his time on the City Council, Jones has worked on making changes to the justice system. For example, he supported laws like "ban-the-box" and ending cash bail.

What He Does on the City Council

Committee Roles

As of February 2021, Curtis J. Jones Jr. is part of several important committees in the City Council:

• Commerce And Economic Development
• Finance
• Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless (he is the vice chair)
• Legislative Oversight (he is the chair)
• Licenses and Inspections
• Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
• Public Property and Public Works
• Public Safety (he is the chair)
• Rules
• Transportation And Public Utilities

Important Issues He Works On

Addressing Gun Violence

Jones is a member of the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention. He has spoken about how frustrating it is that not enough attention is given to gun violence in Philadelphia. He believes that more people should care about young lives lost to violence.

In 2018, he suggested a law to temporarily take firearms away from people who might harm themselves or others.

Improving Criminal Justice

Jones is a co-chair of the Philadelphia City Council Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. He works to make the justice system fairer.

In 2018, Jones helped close the House of Correction in Philadelphia. This was an old prison that had been open since 1927. In 2020, he supported a law to create a Citizens Police Oversight Commission. This commission would help watch over the police.

Helping with Housing

Jones is the vice-chair of the Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless committee.

In 2017, he proposed a "just cause" eviction bill. This bill would stop landlords from evicting tenants when their lease ends without a good reason. He said that the government should protect people from being unfairly treated.

Supporting Employment

In 2015, Jones introduced a law to make Philadelphia's Ban the Box rule stronger. This rule stops employers from asking about a job applicant's criminal record too early in the hiring process. The new law made it harder for employers to avoid this rule. It also limited how far back employers could look at someone's criminal history.

Renaming a Street

In 2018, Jones suggested renaming a street "W. Wilson Goode Sr. Way." This was to honor a former Philadelphia mayor, Wilson Goode. Some people in the community did not agree with this idea.

Devil's Pool

Neighbors near Wissahickon Valley Park were concerned about too many people swimming in Devil's Pool without permission. Jones suggested filling the pool with rocks to stop this.

See also

• List of members of Philadelphia City Council since 1952