[jQuery] error $ not defined

[larksys]

I'm trying to apply what I know so far to my CF page and an
autosuggest input field. The very first line of javascript give an
error;

$ not defined
$(document).ready(function(){

The java script files are included ( I checked that)
The css files are included (I checked that)

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="js/
jquery.autocomplete.css" />
<script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery.autocomplete.js"></
script>

And this script;

<script type="text/javascript">
 $(document).ready(function(){
        $('#suggest1').html('&& nbsp;');
        $("#idm").change( function() {
        var formval = { idm:$(this) .val()};
        $.ajax({
          type: "POST",
          url: "panels/panelCandidates_1_db.cfm",
          dataType: "json",
          data: formval,
          success: function(response){
          $('#suggest1').fadeIn(2000).append(response.MAIN_DISH);
                        }
                });
        });
 });
</script>

And this html;

<cfinput name="NewCandidate" type="text" />
<span id="suggest1"></span>

I'll be /1#%/1 if I can figure out how the input field is triggering
anything.