H&R Springfield Bureau Chief

SPRINGFIELD - Senate President Emil Jones, one of the state's most powerful politicians, is calling it quits.

The 72-year-old Chicago Democrat announced Monday he would step down after the November elections.

"This has been a great privilege to work on behalf of the people of Illinois for over 35 years," Jones said in a prepared statement.

Jones' move set off a scramble Monday for control in the chamber.

Among those who could be vying to grab the gavel wielded by Jones since 2003 are Sens. John Cullerton of Chicago, James Clayborne of Belleville, Terry Link of Vernon Hills and Rickey Hendon of Chicago.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said he's already received calls from several contenders seeking his support. Two potential candidates already plan to go to a fundraiser for Jacobs this week.

"My phone has been ringing off the hook," Jacobs said.

Jones was first elected to the House in 1973 and moved to the Senate a decade later. He was elected minority leader in 1993 and then ascended to the presidency in 2003 when Democrats won a majority in the chamber.

In his role as leader of the Senate, Jones has been an advocate for boosting school funding in Illinois.

He also has been a key ally of Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a time when the governor has feuded with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

"Emil Jones is a man with a big heart and a man of action. He is a true champion of the people. He didn't just do the talk, he did the walk," Blagojevich said in a statement.

His exodus could cause a seismic shift in the political tenor of the Statehouse, which has been plagued by gridlock in recent years because of infighting among Democrats.

Republicans said Jones' departure is a blow to Blagojevich.

"It's a tremendous knock on the governor. His one ally in the legislature has been Emil Jones," said state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said Jones called him Monday about his decision. Watson said he told Jones he should be proud of his lengthy political career and rise to the Senate's loftiest post.

But Watson criticized Jones' alliance with Blagojevich since the governor took office six years ago.

"I would say they've had a very disappointing record as a party," he said.

Jones is as a political mentor to Barack Obama, who served in the Illinois Senate before winning a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2006. The two are set to meet up again in Denver next week to kick-off Obama's coronation as the Democratic nominee for president.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said Senate Democrats from downstate will meet Tuesday to discuss their role in picking a replacement. He said it is important to find someone who will pay attention to the needs of his Southern Illinois district.

"We're just getting left out down here," Forby said.

State Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, said downstate lawmakers hope to stick together as a voting bloc in the replacement process.

"We anticipate playing a major role in that," Demuzio said. "We'll be sticking together."

State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, agreed that various lawmakers' were already jockeying behind the scenes for support, but that no clear consensus had yet formed.

"I think things are going to get kind of intense," Silverstein said.

"I know its going to be fun around Springfield," Forby said.

Silverstein is among those eyeing the Senate's top spot, and he's already positioning himself as a sort of moderate candidate someone who could step in if senators are split among other picks.

"I'm looking into it to see how things fall out," Silverstein said.

Jacobs said he could be viewed as a "swing vote," so he's not going to make a quick decision on whom to support.

"I'm going to walk slowly toward this decision," Jacobs said.

Jones has been a strong advocate for boosting school funding. But he also has generated frustration among some of his members, most recently by pushing for a legislative pay hike. The salary boost was defeated by the Senate last week, with Jones voting "present" on the matter.

He also blocked an attempt by his colleagues to freeze utility rates when ComEd and Ameren raised electric rates a year ago.

Forby and Demuzio said Jones' actions over the past several years have drawn considerable controversy.

"We've had some issues," Forby said.

Jacobs said Jones' long term of work in the General Assembly should be admired.

"He's been an advocate for education," Jacobs said. "He's also been an advocate for race relations in Illinois."

REPLACEMENTSPECULATION

Illinois Senate President Emil Jones announced Monday that he will retire when his term ends in January. The talk immediately turned to which Senate Democrat might replace him in the top job. The contenders include:

-James Clayborne: A black Belleville resident, Clayborne might be able to win support both from black senators and downstate senators. Clayborne is best known for his work on complex regulatory issues such as electric rates and cable television competition.

-John Cullerton: Cullerton has served in the General Assembly since 1979, representing the north side of Chicago and specializing in judicial issues such as death penalty reform. He may have closer ties to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and House Speaker Michael Madigan than the other contenders.

-Don Harmon: A relative newcomer, having served since 2003, the Oak Park resident sponsored legislation sent to the governor this summer that would ban large state contractors from contributing money to politicians handing out the contracts.

-Rickey Hendon: Nicknamed "Hollywood" for his flashy style and long-ago involvement with a movie production, Hendon has been Jones' most faithful lieutenant in recent years.

-Terry Link: The Waukegan resident chairs the Senate Democrats' suburban caucus, a region that holds the most growth potential for the party. He's served in the legislature since 1997.

-Jeff Schoenberg: The Evanston resident has spoken out frequently on ethics and civil rights issues. He has tried to improve the Toll Highway Authority and overhaul state purchasing rules.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865

H&R Springfield Bureau Writer Mike Riopell and the Associated Press contributed to this report.