Oak Park Democrat Harmon takes top Senate position

By Timothy Eggert and Sarah Mansur teggert@lawbulletinmedia.com

Posted January 20, 2020 11:38 AM

Updated January 22, 2020 12:40 PM

Update: Former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr. was incorrectly cited as the state’s first African-American Senate president. He was the second — former Sen. Cecil A. Partee held the position from 1975 through 1977.SPRINGFIELD — When Sen. Donald F. Harmon was sworn in as the 39th Senate president on Sunday, Sangamon County Associate Judge Rudolph M. Braud Jr. instructed the newly minted leader to raise his right hand.Harmon secured 37 votes for the leadership position, while minority leader Sen. William E. Brady …

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