James Clayborne Jr.
James Clayborne Jr. | |
---|---|
Illinois Senate Majority Leader | |
Assumed office January 2009 | |
Preceded by | Debbie Halvorson |
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 57th district | |
Assumed office April 1995 | |
Preceded by | Kenneth Hall |
Personal details | |
Born |
St. Louis, Missouri | December 29, 1963
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Staci Clayborne |
Children | Four |
Residence | Belleville, Illinois |
Alma mater |
Tennessee State University (B.A.) University of Miami (J.D.) |
Profession | Attorney |
Religion | United Methodist |
James Clayborne Jr. (born December 29, 1963) is a member of the Illinois Senate representing the 57th District since his appointment in 1995.[1] The 57th District, located in the Metro East region includes all or parts of Freeburg, Belleville, East St. Louis, O'Fallon, Madison, Fairview Heights, Shiloh and Scott Air Force Base.[2]
He is currently the second highest-ranking member of the Illinois Senate, serving as the Senate Majority Leader since 2009.[3]
Early life and career
Senator Clayborne was born and raised in East St. Louis.[4] After graduating from East St. Louis High School,[5] he earned a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University and later a law degree from the University of Miami.[1] While at the University of Miami, he met his future wife Staci, with whom he now has four sons.[4][5]
He went on to serve as an assistant state’s attorney in St. Clair County as well as a child support prosecutor, a supervisor in the St. Clair County Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Division, a supervisor in Felony Probation Revocations and a felony prosecutor.[6] He also was one of 50 attorneys selected nationwide to participate in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Law Institute in Quantico, Virginia.[6] He later chose to enter private practice[4]
Illinois Senate
In 1995, Clayborne was appointed to complete the term of longtime Senator Kenneth Hall and was later elected in his own right in 1996.[5] In 2009, he became the Senate Majority Leader after finishing second to John Cullerton in the race for Senate President.[7]
Clayborne is the current chair of the Assignments Committee as well as the committees on Energy, Executive Appointments, Insurance, Public Pensions & State Investments and the subcommittees on Governmental Operations and Constitutional Amendments.[1]
Clayborne also served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 "Senator James F. Clayborne Jr. (D) – 57th District". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ↑ "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 57" (PDF). 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- ↑ "Senate Leadership of the 98th General Assembly" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- 1 2 3 McDermott, Kevin. "Beyond Black: Race is just one factor that shapes the sensibilities of this trio of lawmakers". University of Illinois at Springfield. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- 1 2 3 Clayborne, James. "Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers ® Video Oral History with Hon. James Clayborne" (PDF). The History Makers. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- 1 2 "Biography". Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ↑ Willis, Christopher (2008-11-20). "John Cullerton Picked As Illinois Senate President". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ↑ Newman, Craig (2012-09-02). "Who are the Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention?". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
External links
- Biography, bills and committees at the Illinois General Assembly
- Illinois Senate Majority Leader James F. Clayborne Jr. legislative website
- Senator James F. Clayborne Jr. at Illinois Senate Democrats
- Profile at Project Vote Smart