CALUMET CITY | Third Ward Alderman Thaddeus Jones wants to serve in the Illinois House of Representatives, and he plans to present himself to Thornton Township Democratic Party officials when they meet today.

Jones, who has been in the City Council for 12 years, wants to replace Rep. David Miller, D-Lynwood. Miller said he is considering a run for the Democratic nomination for Illinois comptroller, but no formal announcement has been made.

Jones said Monday he will present his legislative bid when the Thornton Township Democrats meet at the Township Hall, 333 162nd St. He said his bid consists of 2,500 signatures of support on nominating petitions and a campaign fund of roughly $35,000.

He said he expects to have as much as 2,900 signatures on nominating petitions to choose from when he files his petitions with the State Board of Elections the week of Oct. 26, and hopes to have as much as $50,000 by the time he is through with fundraising.

"We need a leader who can work with all of the local mayors and community groups, and I will provide that leadership," Jones said in a statement. "We need steady leadership that will hit the ground running in Springfield."

Jones was the first black candidate to be elected as an alderman in the south suburb. Earlier this year, he was re-elected to a fourth four-year term in that office.

In that role, he is head of the council's ordinance and resolutions committee and is a senior member of the finance committee.

While not a lifelong Calumet City resident, he is a product of the south suburbs.

He was raised in Ford Heights and attended Bloom Trail High School in Chicago Heights. Jones is a Loyola University graduate with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

The legislative district being abandoned by Miller represents all or part of Burnham, Calumet City, Dolton, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Harvey, Homewood, Lansing, Lynwood, South Holland and Thornton, along with a piece of the far South Side of Chicago.