Former four term Calumet City Alderman and current Illinois State Representative Thaddeus M. Jones was elected as the first African American Mayor of Calumet City. Jones was unopposed in the Calumet City Municipal election.
On February 23, Representative Jones defeated long time Mayor Michelle Qualkinbush in a hotly contested battle that allowed him to become the Democratic Nominee for today’s election.
“I am grateful, honored and blessed to be in this prime position to usher in a paradigm shift as it relates to how our beloved Calumet City is to be perceived. We have an opportunity to change how economic development is created by offering non-traditional plans that coincide with consumer buying trends.” says Jones.
“African Americans in Calumet City have been subjected to all types of racism aimed at suppressing their votes, their voices and their freedom of expression. This is groundbreaking for our culture and represents a new perspective of how African American empowerment can be achieved. Representative Jones is well deserving of this honor and has broken a high barrier for our people.” says Bishop Larry D. Trotter of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church.
After reviewing the completion of a twelve-month exploratory committee report concerning the potentiality of a change in Calumet City’s Mayoral administration, Representative Jones caucused with his family and made the very bold decision to begin his campaign in January of 2020.
“Calumet City has long been associated with dry old stubborn politics, lack of transparency, a crumbling infrastructure and an evading economic base. Our taxes remain high all while our services continue to decline. I envision a stronger Calumet City that will offer an all-inclusive approach to governing and a rebuilding of community trust between the local government and its residents.” says Representative Jones.
Many observers consider Jones’ qualifications as second to none in his quest for Mayor. In 1997, Thaddeus Jones made history when he became the First African American alderman of Calumet City’s Third Ward. He served four terms as Alderman until 2017. As Alderman he was beloved by his residents for his community engagement and his effectiveness in the delivery of city services. He created many opportunities for minority businesspersons to open businesses within Calumet City as well as fighting for property tax relief for his constituents. To that end, the Third Ward residents rewarded him by re-electing him four times over 16 years.
In 2010 with an impressive 62% of the overall vote, Thaddeus M. Jones was elected as Illinois State Representative of the 29th Legislative District of Illinois where he currently serves. Representative Jones has enjoyed a successful legislative career that has afforded him five terms of office.
In 2013, Jones voted to expand healthcare coverage to an additional 342,000 low-income, uninsured Illinoisans who are now eligible to access quality medical care. In conjunction with other Southland legislators, Jones worked to urge members of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s policy committee to approve the construction of the Iliana Expressway/Tollway, which would connect Interstate 55 with Interstate 65 in Indiana to relieve traffic congestion in the region.
During the summer of 2020, Jones invited state officials to meet with south suburban mayors about their desire to create the Metra Southeast Service Line and other projects centered on creating jobs and economic development in the region.
Jones represents portions of Calumet City, Dolton, Burnham, Ford Heights, Lansing, Lynwood, Glenwood, Thornton, and South Holland, as well as areas of Harvey and the 9th Ward of Chicago [which includes all of Roseland and Altgeld Garden Communities.
Representative Thaddeus Jones and beautiful wife, Saprina Jones, are the proud parents of two boys. Thaddeus is the son of William and Devola Jones. Thaddeus graduated from Bloom Trail High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University. Thaddeus recently graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with his Juris Doctorate.
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