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May 9, 2006 1:14 pm US/Central
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State Rep. Lou Jones Dies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ―
Rep. Lovana Jones, who spent nearly 20 years in the Illinois Legislature speaking up for abused children and ex-convicts, has died at 68.
Known to everyone as "Lou," the Chicago Democrat chaired the House Committee on Public Safety. She had served since 1987 and was an assistant majority leader.
A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan said she died Monday. Spokesman Steve Brown said he has no information about the cause of death. Several lawmakers said she had been ill with pneumonia.
Brown called Jones a knowledgeable lawmaker and "a very pleasant person to work with."
Jones held her own during debates and was always well-prepared, lawmakers said.
"She was unafraid to fight for her cause," said Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago. "I think that people, no matter whether they agreed or disagreed with her cause, they had to respect the fact that she was a fighter for her constituents and for her people."
Raoul said Jones fought for jobs and contracts for minorities.
Jones also pushed legislation focused on the rights of ex-offenders, children and grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, called Jones "resilient" and "vigilant."
"This was a woman with a lot of words, but a lot of action behind the words," he said.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich also released a statement on Jones' death. He said in part: "I served with Lou Jones in the Illinois House of Representatives, and know that she was respected by her colleagues and advocates across the state for her unbending commitment to helping people reach their full potential and overcome obstacles associated with race and poverty."
Blagojevich added, "She was a strong presence in the legislature, always pushing for equality and never hesitating to expose the sometimes-harsh truths about people left behind by a government that is supposed to uphold justice and provide opportunity."
Jones was born in Mansfield, Ohio. She attended Ohio State University and studied business administration.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)