Accomplishments :
ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE:
House Bill 1415 sent to the governor – Making Year-Round Schooling an Option
Rep. Jones worked with teachers’ groups and the Illinois State Board of Education, to pass legislation creating a pilot program allowing schools in the 29th Representative District listed on the academic watch list for two or more years to implement a year-round academic calendar, subject to federal funding. His legislation would lengthen the current 180 day schedule to 215 days for the schools included in the pilot program.
Senate Bill 286 signed into law – Rejecting Pay Hike
Understanding that we must be fiscally responsible and everyone should do their part of help cut costs, Rep. Jones supported this legislation and voted along with other lawmakers to work 12 days without pay. He continues to lead in the forefront of this movement, fighting to have government work for you, our local residents.
Public Act 97-0008 (Senate Bill 7 - Reforms to Improve Education)
This historic reform is geared to improve education and the success of our children. The best teachers are essential to stay in our schools, and Rep. Jones worked tirelessly to pass landmark reforms to the state’s education system. This new legislation includes:
- Teacher performance and qualifications as primary consideration in layoffs, recalls and teaching assignments, rather than only seniority.
- Teacher performance is the key factor in tenure and certification decisions. Teachers must receive high marks in evaluation in order to receive tenure.
- Action may be taken to revoke or suspend teachers’ certificates if they consistently receive unsatisfactory evaluations.
- The dismissal hearing process is streamlined so poorly performing teachers can be dismissed more quickly.
House Bill 105 signed into law – Protecting Patients’ Rights
Protecting Patients’ Rights is important to Rep. Jones and he fought to pass a ‘Patients’ Right to Know Act’ to provide consumers with a tool to make informed health care decisions. This legislation paves the way for a searchable internet database available to the public with information on Illinois’ 44,000 licensed physicians and surgeons, including convictions for felonies or other serious crimes, disciplinary actions, license revocations and medical malpractice judgments.
House Bill 1825 signed into law - Making Cancer Treatment More Accessible and Affordable
Health care costs continue to rise and Rep. Jones believes patients should be given the best access possible to life-saving treatments. He continues to place a priority on people first, and pushed for legislation requiring health insurance policies to provide parity for cancer medications taken orally and intravenously. His strong efforts and leadership now permits patients with equal access to both.
House Bill 148 defeated in the House – Keeping Dangerous Guns off our Streets
Various gun organizations lobbied and pushed hard to legalize freely carrying concealed weapons near homes, parks and even at street fairs. To counter this movement, Rep. Jones fought against this effort that would greatly endanger public safety.
House Bill 3365 signed into law – Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence
Rep. Jones has been attentive to the fact that victims of domestic violence consistently live in fear and that some of their attackers may still have legal access to firearms if the conviction came before 1997. He helped pass this new legislation that allows State Police to revoke or deny the FOID card of any person who has ever been convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery.
Third Ward Alderman - Calumet City
Crime
Implemented the South Point Plaza Police program
Implemented stop light at Dolton Road
Implemented Landlord/Resident Committee
Implemented street to street meetings with residents
Sponsored March Against Crime
Legislation
Implemented the mobile camera legislation
Sponsor of the Gang Task Force Ordinance
Sponsor of the Absentee Landlord Ordinance
Permit Parking Ordinance
Implemented sewer rebate program
Implemented mobile home rebate program
Worked to provide seniors with Elevator at River Oaks Estates
Programs & Memberships
Sponsor of monthly feed the homeless program
Provide 10 yearly scholarships to local high school students
Sponsor of Annual Back to School Cook-out for Residents
Sponsor of Annual Energy Programs
Sponsor of Community Job Fair in Calumet City
Involved with TNT Drill Team
Involved with Black Star Project
Involved with Trailblazer Basketball
Jones Foundation Founder
Involvement with local community churches
Member of Victory Apostolic Church
Member of F&AM, #99 |
