James Meeks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Meeks
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Meeks in 2022
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| Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education |
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| In office January 21, 2015 – 2019 |
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| Appointed by | Bruce Rauner |
| Preceded by | Gery Chico |
| Succeeded by | Darren Reisberg |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 15th district |
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| In office January 8, 2003 – January 9, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Shaw |
| Succeeded by | Napoleon Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 4, 1956 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jamell Meeks |
| Residence | Roseland, Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Bishop College (B.A.) |
| Profession | Minister (Baptist) |
James T. Meeks (born August 4, 1956) is a Baptist minister and a former member of the Illinois Senate. He represented the 15th district from 2003 to 2013. While in the Senate, he led the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. He also ran for mayor of Chicago in 2003 and 2011 but later withdrew from both races. He was also involved in discussions about marriage laws in Illinois.
In 2017, Governor Bruce Rauner chose Meeks to lead the Illinois State Board of Education. He started this role on January 21, 2017, taking over from Gery Chico.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James T. Meeks was born on August 4, 1956. His parents moved to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. This was a time when many African Americans moved from the Southern United States to the North.
Meeks grew up in the Englewood area of Chicago. After finishing Harper High School, he went to Bishop College in Dallas. There, he earned a degree in Religion and Philosophy.
Ministry and Community Work
In 1980, James Meeks became the pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Chicago. Five years later, in 1985, he shared his idea for a new church during a sermon. On that same day, 205 members joined him to start the Salem Baptist Church.
The first services for the new church were held on January 20, 1985. In 2005, Pastor Meeks opened the House of Hope. This is a very large building with 10,000 seats and over 200,000 square feet of space.
In 2023, he stepped down as the main pastor. Now, he works on building affordable homes for people in the Kensington area.
Political Career
In 2002, James Meeks made history by becoming the first state senator in Illinois to be elected as an independent. He was re-elected in 2006, this time as a Democrat. In November 2011, he announced that he would not run for re-election when his term ended in January 2013.
In 1998, Meeks led a community effort in Roseland. He helped gather votes to close 26 liquor stores in the area. He also started a program called "It Takes a Village." This program helps pregnant young people and young mothers by offering support and guidance.
Meeks also cared about making housing affordable for everyone. He supported a bill that would help create plans for housing. These plans focused on helping groups like people who might become homeless or those with disabilities who have low incomes.
Another important bill Meeks supported was about law enforcement. This bill would help police departments get money to buy cameras for their police cars. Meeks believed these cameras would protect both drivers and police officers during traffic stops. He thought they could also help reduce unfair stops based on a person's race.
Meeks was a leader on several important committees in the Senate. He chaired the Housing and Community Affairs Committee. He was also the Vice Chairperson of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
During a speech about removing Governor Rod Blagojevich from office, Meeks used a famous quote from the governor. He said, "We have this thing called impeachment and it's bleeping golden, and we've used it the right way."
Meeks was a strong voice in the 2013 discussions about marriage laws in Illinois.
Improving Education
In the fall of 2008, Meeks called for a boycott of the Chicago Public Schools. He asked people from his church and others to keep their children home from school. He wanted Chicago's inner-city schools to receive more money from the state government in Springfield. Meeks pointed out that schools in wealthier areas, like New Trier High School in Winnetka, spent much more money on each student. In contrast, Chicago Public Schools, which mostly served minority students from low-income families, received less funding.
Over a thousand students gathered outside New Trier High School to protest. The boycott lasted two days. It ended when Governor Rod Blagojevich agreed to discuss the funding issues.
In 2009 and 2010, Meeks worked to create "opportunity scholarships." These scholarships would help children in Chicago's lowest-performing public schools attend better schools. Many lawmakers from different political parties supported this effort.
In 2015, he was chosen to be the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. He served in this role until 2019.
Discussions on Fairness
In November 2010, James Meeks spoke on a radio station about city contracts. These contracts are agreements for businesses to do work for the city. He believed that these contracts, meant for minority and women-owned businesses, should mainly go to African American businesses. He later clarified his statements, saying that all minority- and women-owned businesses should receive their fair share of city contracts.
Personal Life
James Meeks and his wife, Jamell, live in Chicago, Illinois. They have four children: Jamie, Janet, Trent (who is married to Christina), and Jasmine. They also have one granddaughter and one grandson.
See also
In Spanish: James Meeks para niños
