Age, Biography and Wiki

James Meeks was born on 4 August, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American politician. Discover James Meeks's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 67 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 67 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 4 August 1956
Birthday 4 August
Birthplace Chicago, Illinois
Nationality

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 4 August. He is a member of famous Politician with the age 67 years old group.

James Meeks Height, Weight & Measurements

At 67 years old, James Meeks height not available right now. We will update James Meeks's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is James Meeks's Wife?

His wife is Jamell Meeks

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Jamell Meeks
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

James Meeks Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is James Meeks worth at the age of 67 years old? James Meeks’s income source is mostly from being a successful Politician. He is from . We have estimated James Meeks's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Politician

James Meeks Social Network

Instagram
Linkedin
Twitter James Meeks Twitter
Facebook James Meeks Facebook
Wikipedia James Meeks Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1956

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

While a Senator, he chaired the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.

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

1964

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

After graduating from Harper High School, Meeks continued his education at Bishop College in Dallas, where he earned a degree in Religion and Philosophy.

1980

In 1980, he became pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Chicago.

1985

In 1985, Meeks, still pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church, shared the vision of founding a new church in a sermon.

After a meeting with 205 members that same day, he founded

the Salem Baptist Church.

The new congregation held its first services January 20, 1985 at 8201 South Jeffrey Boulevard and remained at this location for five-years.

1998

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

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

Meeks was also concerned with issues of housing affordability.

2002

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

2003

He briefly campaigned for Mayor of Chicago in the 2003 and 2011 election, before dropping out of the race both times.

He subsequently become a leading figure in the campaign to prevent same-sex marriage in Illinois.

He 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.

The bill focuses its attention on vulnerable groups, including those at risk of homelessness and low income people with disabilities.

Another bill sponsored by Meeks addressed law enforcement and racial profiling.

The bill would allow police departments to apply for grants to purchase cameras for police cars.

Meeks believes that cameras in police cars protects everyone involved in a traffic stop, arguing that it provides security for both the driver and the law enforcement officer, and that it may also help reduce instances of racial profiling.

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

Additionally, he was a member of the Senate Commerce; Appropriations I; Education; Higher Education; and Senate Education Funding Reform Committees.

During his speech supporting the removal of Rod Blagojevich from office, Meeks reprised the governor's now-infamous quote about Barack Obama's Senate seat, saying, "We have this thing called impeachment and it's bleeping golden, and we've used it the right way."

2005

In 2005, he inaugurated the House of Hope, a 10,000-seat facility.

The venue has 203000 sqft of usable space.

In 2023, he stepped down as senior pastor.

In his post-minister life, he has become a non-profit, affordable housing developer in Kensington.

2006

He won re-election in 2006 as a Democrat.

2008

In fall 2008, he announced a boycott of the Chicago Public Schools, urging his congregants and people from other churches to keep their children home until Chicago inner-city schools received more funding from Springfield.

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.

Over a thousand students met outside New Trier High School in the suburban North Shore to protest.

The boycott ended after two days when governor Rod Blagojevich said he would not with Meeks during a boycott.

2009

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

This effort was supported by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and outside groups such as the Illinois Policy Institute.

2011

In November 2011, he announced that he would not seek reelection when his current term ended in January 2013.

2013

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

2015

In 2015, he was elected chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, serving until 2019.

2017

Meeks was appointed chair of the Illinois State Board of Education by Governor Bruce Rauner and took office January 21, 2017.

He succeeded Gery Chico who had resigned the previous week.