In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis, especially in the African-American community. The Roseland community, part of State Senator Emil Jones III's district(Chicago – 14), has among the highest rates of AID/ HIV in the city. In an effort to fight this dangerous disease, Senator Jones supported a measure to extend a program that allows health care professionals to notify a spouse or civil union partner when HIV test results are positive.

"Informing people of their HIV/AIDs status is pivotal to stopping this deadly disease from spreading," said Senator Jones. "If people aren't aware that they are at possible risk of having HIV, then the chances of it turning into full blown AIDs are much more likely."

Read more: Jones legislation helps the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDs

State Senator Emil Jones (D- Chicago) sponsored legislation to address a constituent concern stemming from an incident involving the remains of a loved one.

The constituent didn't have rights to her father's remains and another family member took it upon themselves to bury the loved one without any consent from the rest of the deceased family.

Senator Jones office was then contacted by deceased man's daughter and legislation was drafted to help this from happening to families in the future. The measure creates a process for handling a deceased love one's remains in the event that there is no written direction.

Read more: Jones helps constituent inch closer towards closure

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As city officials trumpet news of a multi-million dollar expansion of the CTA’s Blue Line to O’Hare, state lawmakers from the Southside are once again wondering when the CTA will keep its promises to improve mass transit in their area.

“People who live in Skokie have a faster commute downtown than residents on the South Side,” said state Senator Emil Jones III, chairman of the Senate Black Caucus. “For decades the CTA keeps saying it can’t find money for the Red Line extension, but somehow it can find nearly half a billion dollars for the Blue Line.”

Jones’ frustration boiled over this week with the CTA’s announcement of a $492 million plan to redo the Blue Line. Federal transportation officials flew in to announce a $120 million federal loan for the project.

Meanwhile, on the Southside officials are left wondering when the needs of their communities are going to be addressed. Since the 1970s community advocates, church and business leaders have pushed to extend the Red Line beyond its current stop at 95th Street. There have been CTA plans and studies, town hall meetings and training programs to prepare people for possible work.

And once again nothing has happened, even as millions of dollars are devoted to other parts of the CTA system.

Read more: South Side transit needs ignored again by CTA