15 Facts About James Meeks

James T Meeks was born on August 4,1956 and is a Baptist minister and past member of the Illinois Senate, who represented the 15th district from 2003 to 2013.

James Meeks briefly campaigned for mayor of Chicago in the 2003 and 2011 election, before dropping out of the race both times.

James Meeks subsequently become a leading figure in the campaign to oppose same-sex marriage in Illinois.

James Meeks succeeded Gery Chico who had resigned the previous week.

James T Meeks was born August 4,1956, to parents who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration.

James Meeks was raised in Englewood, near West 64th Street and South Laflin Street.

In 2002, James Meeks became the first state senator to be elected as an independent.

In 1998, James Meeks led a movement to "dry up" Roseland Community by collecting votes to close 26 liquor stores.

James Meeks created a mentoring program called "It Takes a Village " which provides support and assistance to pregnant youth and young mothers.

James Meeks sponsored a bill which would make permanent a 2003 Executive Order that established a task force to develop Annual Comprehensive Housing Plans to address critical housing issues.

James Meeks was the chairperson of the Housing and Community Affairs Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

James Meeks has been a leading and outspoken figure in the 2013 campaign to stop same-sex marriage legalization in Illinois.

James Meeks pointed out that at New Trier High School in Winnetka, thousands of dollars more are spent on each student, compared to Chicago Public Schools, where the population is mostly minorities from low-income homes.

In 2009 and 2010, James Meeks worked to pass opportunity scholarships for children in Chicago's worst-performing public schools.

In November 2010, in an interview on the radio station WVON, James Meeks advocated that only African Americans should be qualified for city contracts designated for minorities and women.