Mayoral Candidate Says He’s Ready To Take On Both Roles

Rep. Thaddeus Jones
Rep. Thaddeus Jones

 Mayoral Candidate Says He’s Ready To Take On Both Roles

BY TIA CAROL JONES
     Thaddeus Jones was the first African-American alderman in Calumet City when he was elected in 1996. Jones’ campaign got a major boost after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that he was eligible to be on the Feb. 23 primary ballot.
       In the Democratic mayoral primary, Jones unseated Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, who had been mayor since 2003. As winner of the primary, Jones advanced to the April 6 general election and no other candidates have filed to run as Republican or independent. However, Tony Quiroz has filed as a write-in candidate. If Jones is victorious on April 6, he’ll make history once again by becoming Calumet City’s first black mayor.
     “This election was more about the residents being disrespected over the last 20 years, than about what we achieved together. Even though becoming the first Black mayor is a huge achievement,” he said.
      Jones thanked the residents for voting for him and for bringing their concerns to him about how Calumet City had left residents behind. “They left them behind with taxes, they left them behind with economic development, they left them behind with city government,” he said.
    Jones said one example of the city disrespecting residents is the city giving tickets to seniors who did not clean snow from in front of their houses.
     Jones said he is committed to being a voice for the residents. He said one of his goals as mayor, is to engage residents so that they can become a part of city government.
     Jones is currently the Illinois State Representative for the 29th District. He said there was a question about whether he could serve in two positions. The opinion came down on Thursday, March 11, from the Illinois Supreme Court that it was constitutional. He said there are many mayors who are serving as state representatives.
     “It allows me to bring more resources to Calumet City if I want to do economic development, grants, programs. Being in that dual role allows me to do this. I served as alderman for 17 years, 10 of those, I served as alderman and state representative. It’s not uncommon and I’m ready to take both roles,” he said.
     Jones said he is well-versed in bare knuckle politics and added, “we’re going to make sure the residents understand that we’re going to work together to bring Calumet City back.”
     Jones said bringing back economic development to Calumet City will have to start with the simple things. He said he will seek and encourage economic opportunities and get the aldermen in Calumet City involved.
      “My plan, hitting the ground running, is to make sure that we are targeting places that want to come to Calumet City. Because Calumet City has economic development, we have people who want to shop at these stores. We need to show these companies that their investment in our city is going to be returned because the people want them to come to Calumet City,” he said.
     Jones said Calumet City received $4.4 million from the CARES Act. He said that money will go towards reconstructing streets, rebuilding infrastructure and housing.
     Jones said there will have to be a rebuilding of trust in Calumet City. He said current residents don’t trust the current government. He said it showed in the vote total in the election. “I think residents are excited about their government in Calumet City and they’re demanding that we do more for them and we will,” he said.
     On Jones’ list of things to do is to have officers on foot and on bike patrols, meeting with department heads and figuring out a plan that works, as well as working with education leaders to put together a sound education plan. He said he also wants to expand health care services for residents.
     “We want to make sure we’re meeting residents where they are and finding out the issues that are having them leaving Calumet City and keep them in Calumet City,” he said.

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