Rep. Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch succeeds Mike Madigan as speaker of the Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (WLS) – Hillman Democrat Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is the next speaker of the Illinois House, succeeding Mike Madigan, who has held the post for decades.

Welch was elected Speaker when the 102nd General Assembly convened on Wednesday afternoon.

Welch is the first black speaker to take over the reins from Mike Madigan, who has served in the role for the past two years.

“As the speaker of this room, it is an enormous responsibility. I am honored and my commitment is to do it to the best of my ability,” Welch said.

Welch knocked out several competitors, including two women who campaigned for the speaker role. It took three caucus votes in the past two days before he was promoted to the leadership position.

After lawmakers were sworn in Wednesday afternoon, Welch was elected by 70 votes, ten more than he needed.

“Welch did not choose this moment. The moment Welch chose,” said Maurice West (D-Rockford).

The new speaker comes at a time when the state is struggling with huge budget deficits and economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What we need to do is get this virus under control,” Welch said. “If we are going to grow our economy properly, we have to acknowledge that the federal government’s week-by-week, month-by-month approach to COVID-19 is not working.”

Welch called on both sides of the aisle to work together.

“We meet the challenge of the moment by being united, not divided. We are not Democrats and Republicans when we come to work,” Welch said. “Today will be the last time I talk about us as Democrats and Republicans because I want us to be united.”

Madigan announced on Monday that it had suspended its bid to be re-elected Speaker after failing to have the required 60 votes during a caucus over the weekend. On Wednesday, it was 50 years as a state representative for Madigan.

Welch praised Madigan for his contribution to Illinois, but Republican leader Jim Durkin lodged complaints with Democrats when he paralyzed Madigan, who left the Speaker’s office while under ComEd’s federal corruption investigation. . He called on Welch to make a break with Madigan’s leader model for iron fist.

“I’m going to work in good faith, but as I’ve seen things since the beginning of the special inquiry committee until today, and like I said, I’ll set the reset button,” said Mr. “Which is very close to Madigan,” Durkin said. I am expanding the olive branch of collaboration that begins today. “

Welch received the unanimous approval of the House Black Caucus and received 50 votes in the first round of voting by the full Democratic caucus last night.

On Wednesday morning, a second round of voting gave Welch 55 votes with 17 lawmakers present. Madigan did not take part in the vote but stayed in the Speaker’s office in the capital where his spokesman said he had started collecting items to pull out.

According to State Representative Mike Zalewski, Welch defended himself during a morning caucus over allegations that surfaced recently about a 2002 domestic violence incident with a friend who said Hillside police hit Welch on the counter after ‘ a quarrel. Welch also addressed a 2010 federal lawsuit by another woman alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.

Madigan issued a statement after the vote on Wednesday, saying, “As I prepare to pass on the Speaker’s hammer to a new generation of Democratic leadership, I would like to thank the residents of my district and the members of the House Democratic Caucus. thank you for their faith and trust I have thanked my staff over the years for their hard work on behalf of every member of this caucus. It has been the honor of a lifetime to help bring people from different experiences and backgrounds together to serve our state.

“It’s time for new leadership in the House. I wish Welch all the best while starting a historic speaker system. It is my sincere hope today that the caucus I leave to him and to all who will serve with him, is stronger than when I started.And if I look at the large and diverse Democratic majority, we have built young leaders who are ready to continue to advance our state, strong women and coloreds and members who are all parts of us “I am confident that Illinois remains in good hands.”

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement saying, “House Democrats have chosen to go from Mike Madigan, the most corrupt politician in America, to Rep. Chris Welch, a top Madigan lieutenant who has been credibly accused by several women in court documents. of harassment, assault and retaliation.

It is now clear that House Democrats are doubling down to allow Madigan’s corrupt machine to continue the state government. In place of Madigan, they promoted a serial harasser and attacker of women. Despite this, Welch passed the most important test this autumn – he has been a loyal Madigan ally for many years, but recently acted as Madigan’s human shield in legislative hearings investigating the widespread corruption scandal that Madigan eventually dropped. has.

This decision is a foolishness for the people of Illinois, and we will make every voter understand that House Democrats just can not leave Madigan. ‘