Thaddeus Jones (politician) facts for kids

Thaddeus Jones is an American politician. He currently serves in two important roles. He is the Illinois state representative for the 29th district. He is also the mayor of Calumet City, Illinois. The 29th district covers parts of many towns. These include Chicago, Dolton, South Holland, Lansing, and Calumet City. It also includes Thornton, Glenwood, Sauk Village, Steger, and Monee. Jones is a member of the Democratic Party.

Thaddeus Jones' Political Journey

Thaddeus Jones started his career in public service in 1997. His first elected job was as an alderman for Calumet City's 3rd ward. He held this position for ten years, until 2007.

Becoming a State Representative

In 2011, Jones began his first year in state office. He won the election for the 29th district seat. He beat his main opponent, Sheryl Tillman, by a large margin. He also won against Kenny Williams from the Green Party. This election was part of the 2010 Illinois elections.

Stepping Down from a Foundation

In 2017, Jones left his role with the Jones Foundation. This happened because some funds from the charity were used in ways that weren't for charity work.

Becoming Mayor of Calumet City

In 2021, Thaddeus Jones made history. He became the first Black mayor of Calumet City. He won against Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, who had been mayor for 18 years. The election was very close. Both sides had strong disagreements about how the election was run.

There were claims about rules not being followed by both campaigns. Jones' victory was challenged in court. The first court decision went against him. However, this decision was later changed by the Supreme Court of Illinois. The Supreme Court confirmed that Jones' victory was valid. He officially became mayor on May 1, 2021. He continues to serve as a state representative at the same time.

Current Committee Roles

As of July 3, 2022, Representative Jones is a member of several important committees in the Illinois House. These committees help make decisions on different topics.

• Family Law & Probate Subcommittee
• Chairman of the Insurance Committee
• Judiciary - Civil Committee
• Labor & Commerce Committee
• Minority Impact Analysis Subcommittee
• Prescription Drug Affordability Committee
• Co-chairman of the Special Issues (INS) Subcommittee
• Workforce Development Subcommittee

About Thaddeus Jones' Family Life

According to his official website, Thaddeus Jones has two sons. He lives in Calumet City with his wife, Saprina.