Ahmed Karrar for Illinois 14th Senate Democratic primary
Illinois’ 14th State Senate District has three Democratic primary candidates, including incumbent Emil Jones III, 47, who agreed in December to a deferred prosecution agreement that will allow him to avoid a retrial and, if he meets its terms, will result in the dismissal of three federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud and lying to the FBI. Governor JB Pritzker called in 2022 for Jones to resign.
He faces two challengers, Ahmed Karrar and Kenneth Williams, who hope to take over representing a district that covers much of the south suburbs, including all or parts of Dolton, Blue Island and Tinley Park.
Karrar is an attorney who speaks passionately about his desire to fight on behalf of district residents and advocate for a progressive agenda in Springfield. He let us know that he would be willing to have the state of Illinois bail out Chicago, to some extent. We didn’t like his desire for a progressive income tax and a millionaires tax, but we appreciated his acknowledgment that “disciplined budgets and efficient use of taxpayer dollars should always be a priority.” We also respect that Karrar campaigned and knocked on doors in the cold and snow, showing energy and enthusiasm to serve this district.
Williams is a small business owner who opened Silk N Classy Trends in Riverdale in 1991 and later founded a beauty school. He served as school board president for Thornton Township High School District 205, but was removed from office due to a 1985 forgery conviction in Indiana, which he later had expunged. He told the Daily Southtown that he intends to fight to change state laws that prevent people convicted of crimes from holding office.
“Why do you have a federal position, you can have 34 felonies, but a little man like me with one, it happened when I was 19, you want to stop me from supporting my people?” he said.
He makes a good point.
While Karrar isn’t the kind of moderate Democrat we prefer, we think his optimism and genuine enthusiasm for the job could do some good in Springfield.
Karrar is approved.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for Illinois’ 2026 primary elections here.
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