Today’s public lecture from Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., has been canceled.

Jones, D-Chicago, was expected to speak at 4 p.m. today in the Student Center, but canceled his trip to the SIUC campus to attend the wake and funeral of close friend and State Sen. George P. Shadid’s son.

Shadid’s son died Monday after battling brain cancer. Shadid is the Illinois State Senate assistant majority leader.

Advertisement

David Gross, SIU executive assistant for government relations, led the effort to bring the senate president to Carbondale. Gross served as the senate president’s deputy chief-of-staff for about 12 years.

Although Jones canceled his trip, Gross said he is going to try to work with Jones’ office to arrange another visit, but said it will be difficult because the Legislature’s spring session goes into full swing next week.

Jones, who was to be hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, was also expected to meet with a group of students who hail from his district in Chicago to discuss various issues, as well as attend the men’s basketball game.