Mistrial Declared in Corruption Case Against Illinois Senator

CHICAGO — A federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the bribery case against state Sen. Emil Jones III after jurors deadlocked on all three charges.

U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood issued the decision at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Jones, a Chicago Democrat, was accused of accepting bribes, but the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Jones’ case is the latest in a series of high-profile corruption trials in Illinois to end without a conviction. Last year, jurors deadlocked in the bribery case against former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza, who was accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Madigan himself was convicted on 10 corruption-related counts in February. However, jurors could not agree on six other charges against him and codefendant Michael McClain.

Ongoing Investigations

Separate from the Jones case, Democratic state Rep. Thaddeus Jones is under investigation. The Chicago Tribune reported that authorities are examining expenditures linked to three of his campaign funds.

Despite facing charges in 2022, Thaddeus Jones was reelected without opposition and continues to serve in the Illinois Senate.

Calls for Ethics Reform

Gov. J.B. Pritzker commented on the recent series of corruption cases, saying they show that existing ethics laws are effective.
“All are being held responsible under laws that are on the books now, ethics laws and laws that hold what they did illegal and have brought them to trial,” Pritzker said during an event Tuesday in Jacksonville.

After charges were announced against Thaddeus Jones in 2022, Pritzker called for his resignation. When asked why he has not publicly pushed for new ethics measures, Pritzker said reforms have been a priority for years.
“We’ve gotten a lot done. I continue to advocate. Sometimes the legislature doesn’t move as fast as I’d like them to,” Pritzker said.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have proposed ethics reforms this year, but efforts have stalled in the General Assembly.

Public Reaction

Connie Mixon, a political science professor and Urban Studies Program director at Elmhurst University, said Illinois’ continued struggles with corruption are discouraging.
“There are legislative things that can be done to help curtail some of this corruption, and yet our General Assembly doesn’t seem interested or doesn’t feel any urgency in pushing through legislative reforms,” Mixon told The Center Square.

Illinois Republican state Sen. Darby Hills also issued a statement following the Jones mistrial.
“Regardless of the outcome of this case, it’s clear that the people of Illinois want honesty, fairness, and accountability from those in office. We must keep working toward a more transparent and trustworthy state government,” Hills said.

After the mistrial was announced, Emil Jones III said he was "looking forward to another fight" as legal proceedings continue.