Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. with ICEE President/Executive Director Joanne Dempsey and Chicago City Treasurer Judy Rice.

Economic Ambassador Award

On February 21, 2006, The Honorable Emil Jones, Jr., President of the Illinois Senate, was honored with the 2006 Economics Ambassador Award from the Illinois Council on Economic Education (ICEE). A special luncheon was held at The Chicago Club, hosted by Frank Clark, Chairman and CEO of ComEd. Senate President Jones is a member of the ICEE Governing Board and has had a strong commitment to economic literacy for many years.

The Economic Ambassador Award was established to recognize outstanding leadership from a public official for economic and financial literacy within the State of Illinois. Scott Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of the Rosenthal Collins Group and Chairman of the ICEE Governing Board, welcomed guests to the special luncheon. Guests included ICEE Governing Board members as well as last year's recipient of the Ambassador Award, Chicago City Treasurer Judy Rice. ICEE Governing Board member Frank Clark made the presentation to his longtime friend, Senator Jones.

President Jones is an ardent advocate for economic and financial literacy education, sponsoring legislation to assure funding of these programs for all students in Illinois. His membership on the Governing Board of the Illinois Council on Economic Education reflects his commitment to helping all young people gain the skills needed to be effective participants in our economy.

President Jones has served on the Council’s Governing Board since 2003, and through his participation with ICEE, took part as a “Principal for a Day,” a program sponsored by the Chicago Public Schools and the Mayor’s office. President Jones’ advocacy for state support of economic and financial education for K-12 schools sets an outstanding example for public officials in the campaign for economic literacy.