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Racial barrier finally falls in Cal City as Supreme Court upholds Jones’ mayoral victory

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Illinois

* Rep. Jones has been trying to get elected mayor of Calumet City for eight years, but has faced local and court roadblocks at every turn. The town now has its first Black mayor even though it’s 74 percent Black…

Thaddeus Jones’ quest to become the city’s first black mayor took a big step forward Monday thanks to a favorable ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court in a lawsuit over his eligibility to be on the Feb. 23 primary ballot.

The Supreme Court affirmed an appellate court ruling last month that restored Jones’ name to the ballot in the Democratic mayoral primary against 18-year incumbent Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush.

A Calumet City electoral board had ruled Jones ineligible to run in the wake of a November referendum passed by city voters that banned mayoral candidates who held an office created by the Illinois constitution.

Jones, who was elected Calumet City’s first black alderman in 1997 and served until 2017, has been a state representative since 2011.

The electoral board’s decision was upheld by the Cook County Circuit Court before being overturned by the 1st District Appellate Court, whose ruling was affirmed by the Supreme Court.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:13 am

Comments

Good for Rep. Jones… another big win for Mike Kasper

Comment by NotRich Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:18 am
Congratulations to Rep. Jones and shame to Qualkinbush and Burt Odelson for their illegal, unconstitutional, and racist campaign against Rep. Jones. They knew they couldn’t win a fair battle, so they’ve spent nearly a decade cheating. Sickening.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:19 am
If that ordinance was passed by the city voters (and November would have been high turn out) then doesn’t that mean he faces some electoral headwinds in winning?

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:21 am
“banned mayoral candidates who held an office created by the Illinois constitution.”

That seems…specifically targeted. I’d love to see the justification for that one.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:24 am
Every time I see the words, “Calumet City,” I think of an old song I heard on WFMT’s Midnight Special. The song was entitled, I think, “Mayor Daley,” and the lines I sing in my head are that if you vote for Mayor Daley, you’ll get “a trip to Cal City on your Playboy Key.”

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:25 am
“That seems…specifically targeted. I’d love to see the justification for that one.”

I was thinking the same thing.

Comment by 1st Ward Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:33 am
I do not know the specifics of this case, but I think one elective office at a time should be enough. That goes for mayor of Rosemont and although he did not keep both the mayor of Elmhurst who was on County Board

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:34 am
Congratulations Mayor Jones, a new day and a long road… to that new beginning.

If it was so hard to bring this change, you have to ask what was the reason?

Then again, do any of us need to ask?

My best to Mayor Jones in his new office.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:35 am
Just thinking to myself here, but is there any oversight or reporting for state Reps/state Senators that have another elected gig? Do they need to file paperwork showing they took themselves off one payroll while performing their duties for their other elected office. I’m guessing that Kelly Burke will be joining them once elected the Mayor of Evergreen Park. This should also pertain for those that have a city/county job and are elected as a state rep/senator.

Comment by Orland (D) Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 10:45 am
“That seems…specifically targeted. I’d love to see the justification for that one.”

Some voters do not like elected officials holding multiple offices and collecting multiple pensions.
These double dipping practices have exacerbated the financial crises facing Illinois as the pensions are out of control.

Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 11:00 am
Qualkinbush should have been thrown out of office years ago when she painted one of Cal City’s iconic water towers to match her campaign colors.

Comment by Melido Perez Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 2:27 pm
A while back there was a uproar about what was called by some as “double dipping” involving holding 2 or more public jobs at the same time. Is Mr. Jones going to hold both positions at the same time?

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 2:39 pm
DuPage - yes, as does Rosemont mayor Stephens. I think its unseemly and a potential conflict, but it is allowed apparently.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Mar 9, 21 @ 7:33 pm