SPRINGFIELD - Senate President Emil Jones' retirement eventually could put an end to the bitter political stalemate that has plagued state government for the past two years, senators said Tuesday.

But until the fight to replace him is over, don't expect any major movement on issues such as a statewide construction plan, which has been mired in gridlock since Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office.

Jones, 72, of Chicago announced Monday that he will step down in January after five years at the helm of the Senate.

The move triggered jockeying among Democrats who want the post, with two African-American lawmakers from opposite ends of the state emerging as early hopefuls.

Democratic state Sens. James Clayborne of Belleville and Rickey Hendon of Chicago said they have the experience and connections to take over.

Hendon, a top lieutenant to Jones, said he'd work to end the political feuding with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

"We will certainly try to work with the speaker," Hendon said.

But Clayborne said he hopes to avoid even more gridlock if the scramble for the presidency among Democrats isn't resolved quickly.

"I'm hoping that smarter minds will prevail," Clayborne said.

Republicans sat back Tuesday and watched the campaigning for Jones' post get under way.

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said Jones' departure could only help jump-start activity in Springfield, which has been stalled because of infighting between the governor, who is allied with Jones, and Madigan.

"I don't know how things could grind to a halt any more or real progress slow down any more than it has for the last several years," Righter said.

State Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, said Jones' departure could finally help end the bickering among Democrats who control state government.

"I think it's positive. For many individuals who thought he was part of the problem, that roadblock is now diminished," Trotter said.

The process of picking a new president is likely to play out over the next several weeks.

The lawmaker who can muster 30 votes in the 59-member Senate gets to be president for the two-year duration of each General Assembly.

Other potential replacements for Jones include Democrat state Sens. John Cullerton of Chicago, Terry Link of Waukegan and Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston.

State Sens. John Sullivan of Rushville and Ira Silverstein of Chicago also have been mentioned as potential candidates, but Sullivan said he's working to make sure the next president doesn't favor Chicago over other parts of Illinois.

"Right now, I'm just trying to look out for the interests of downstate," Sullivan said.

Link said that as a suburbanite from Lake County, he's an independent.

"I don't have the Chicago ties, No. 1," he says. "That's a big thing."

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865