Local WSIU
(2008-08-18)
SPRINGFIELD, IL
(wsiu) -
There will be a shake-up in the leadership of the Illinois Senate.Senate President Emil Jones announced Monday he is retiring this fall.
State Senator Gary Forby of Benton says he harbors no resentment toward Jones over a parliamentary maneuver that Jones used to quash part of Forby's efforts for electricity rate relief. But Forby does say the next President needs to pay better attention to downstate Illinois.
Senator Mike Jacobs says he received 27 phone calls from colleagues who want to become the next Senate President, or from Senators lobbying for them. Jacobs says he doesn't want the top spot, but does want a leadership post.
Jones has been in state government for 35 years. He was first elected to the Illinois House in 1972 and to the Illinois Senate in 1983. He's been the Senate President for five years.
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