Emil Jones Jr. is about to hit the pension jackpot.
The retired Illinois Senate president's state pension this year: $81,016.
In January, a year after his retirement, it skyrockets 51 percent, to $122,334,
far more than his final Senate salary of $95,313.
That's when the Chicago Democrat cashes in on two pension sweeteners that
legislators set up for themselves: a longevity bonus for serving more than 20
years in the Illinois Legislature and a cost-of-living increase./p>
Jones also has three other government pensions:
• $41,824 a year for his 21 years as a City of Chicago sewer inspector.
• $3,188 for his two years as a Cook County employee.
• And $1,315 for his 1½ years as a laborer with the Chicago Park District.
Jones, 73, began collecting those pensions 16 years ago, while serving as a
state senator.
He didn't respond to interview requests.
Jones was a state senator in 1989 when the Legislature passed a law to enrich
the pensions of legislators who serve beyond 20 years. At that point, they
qualify for a pension equal to 85 percent of their final salary. For each
additional year, they get 3 percent more. They have to be retired for one year
before they get those bonuses.
Jones spent 36 years in the Legislature -- with those 16 years beyond 20 years
of service entitling him to a 48 percent bump in his pension in January.
Others who have received longevity bonuses include Senate President James
"Pate'' Philip (R-Wood Dale) and Rep. Ralph Capparelli (D-Chicago). Longevity
bonuses are available only to those who held office before 2003 -- when
legislators outlawed the bonuses.