Emil Jones discusses his political relationship with Barack Obama, with particular emphasis on their service in the Illinois Senate, in which Jones served from 1983 to 2009, and of which he was president from 2003 to 2009. Jones recalls his initial impressions of Obama from their first encounters in the 1980s when Obama was working as a community organizer, and speaks widely about Obama's political development and trajectory. Jones provides details about notable events and issues with which he was closely involved, including Obama's election to the Illinois Senate in 1996, Obama's relationships with Black colleagues in Springfield, Obama's legislative activities, and Obama's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2004. Also discussed are Jones' legislative and political staffs, Obama's reception in downstate Illinois, and Obama's keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004
Presidents--United States; Political planning--United States; Elections--United States; United States Race relations; United States Politics and government; Jones, Emil, 1935-; Obama, Barack; Illinois. General Assembly
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2023
Physical Description
47 pages
Note (Biographical)
Emil Jones is an American politician and public servant. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 28th district from 1973 to 1983, and as a member of the Illinois Senate from the 17th and 14th districts from 1983 to 2009 . From 2003 to 2009, Jones was president of the Illinois Senate. Jones is widely acknowledged as having played a significant role in Barack Obama's development and trajectory as a politician and legislator
Note
Interviewed by Adam Green on January 18, 2023. This interview is part of the University of Chicago: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Emil Jones Jr., Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023