Born in St. Louis, Missouri on December 29, 1963, State Senator James F. Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville) represents Illinois' 57th Legislative District. Senator Clayborne was sworn into office on April 17, 1995 to serve the remainder of the term of the late Senator Kenneth Hall. He was elected to a full term in November 1996 and was re-elected in 2000, 2002 and 2006.

Chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee for the 95th General Assembly, Senator Clayborne also serves as a member of the Senate Executive Committee, Executive Appointments Committee, Insurance Committee, and the Pensions and Investments Committee.

Following his graduation from Tennessee State University in 1985, Clayborne earned a Doctrine of Juris Prudence in 1988, from the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, Florida. He served as a law clerk for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and as a clinical intern with then Dade County State's Attorney Janet Reno, who went on to serve as Attorney General of the United States. Senator Clayborne is a Partner, working in civil defense litigation with the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson of Belleville.

Prior to practicing law in the private sector, Clayborne was an Assistant State's Attorney in St. Clair County. Additionally, he served as a Child Support Prosecutor, a supervisor in the St. Clair County Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Division, a supervisor in Felony Probation Revocations and a Felony Prosecutor. In 1992, Clayborne was one of three finalists for U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. He was also one of fifty attorneys selected nationwide to participate in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Law Institute in Quantico, Virginia.

Senator Clayborne is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association where he serves on the Corporate Law Section and the Civil Practice Law section. He also serves as a delegate on the American Bar Association's House of Delegates.

In recognition of his leadership, Senator Clayborne was invited to participate in the 1997 Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, sponsored by the Council of State Government's Midwest Legislative Conference. He has also been recognized for his legislative accomplishments by several organizations including receiving the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Health Care Association in 1996 and receiving the 1997 Legislative Recognition Award from the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.

In his spare time, the Senator is involved in a host of civic and community organizations. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in East St. Louis. Clayborne served on the Board of Directors for the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Sports Commission.

Senator Clayborne, who has four sons, resides in Belleville.