Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch succeeds Mike Madigan as a speaker at the Illinois House

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

Welch was elected chairman when the 102nd General Assembly convened at noon on Wednesday.

Welch is the first black speaker, taking the helm from Mike Madigan who has served in that role for nearly two years since 1983.

“As a speaker in this room, that is an awesome responsibility. I feel honored and it is my commitment to do the best I can,” said Welch.

Welch defeated several rivals, including two women who competed for the role of the speaker. Three caucus votes were required in the past two days before he was elevated to the leadership position.

After lawmakers were sworn in on Wednesday afternoon, Welch was elected with 70 votes, 10 more than he needed.

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

The new speaker comes at a time when the state is grappling with a major budget deficit and economic devastation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What we have to do is get this virus under control,” Welch said. “If we want to grow our economy well, we have to admit that the federal government’s weekly, monthly approach to COVID-19 is not working.”

Welch called on both sides of the aisle to cooperate.

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

Madigan announced on Monday that he is suspending his bid to be reelected after failing to get the required 60 votes during a weekend caucus. Wednesday marked 50 years as a state representative for Madigan.

Welch praised Madigan for his contribution to Illinois, but Republican leader Jim Durkin received complaints from the Democrats for impeaching Madigan, who is leaving the Speaker’s office while under a federal ComEd corruption investigation. He called on Welch to break with Madigan’s iron-fisted leadership model.

“I’m going to be operating in good faith, but the way I’ve seen things happen since the start of the Special Investigation Commission until today, and, as I said, I’ll set the reset button,” Mr. Welch is very close to Speaker Madigan, “said Durkin.” As of today I will expand the olive branch of the collaboration. ‘

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

On Wednesday morning, a second round of voting earned Welch 55 votes with 17 lawmakers present. Madigan did not participate in the vote, but instead stayed at the speaker’s office in the capital, where his spokesman said he had started collecting items to move.

According to state representative Mike Zalewski, Welch defended himself at a morning conference against allegations that recently surfaced about a 2002 domestic violence incident involving a friend who told Hillside police that Welch hit her head on a counter after an argument. Welch also spoke of a 2010 federal lawsuit by another woman claiming sexual harassment and retaliation.

Madigan released a statement after the vote on Wednesday saying, “ As I prepare to pass the gavel to a new generation of Democratic leadership, I want to thank the people of my district and the members of the House Democratic Caucus for the faith. and trust they have. have placed in me over the years. I would like to thank my staff for their hard work on behalf of every member of this caucus. It has been the honor of my life to bring people of different experiences and backgrounds together to serve our state.

“It is time for new leadership in Parliament. I wish all the best to President-elect Welch as he begins a historic speaking position. It is my sincere hope that the caucus I leave behind is for him and all who will serve alongside him. stronger than when I started. And when I look at the vast and diverse democratic majority we’ve built, full of young leaders ready to advance our state, strong women and people of color, and members who share all parts of our State. Am confident that Illinois remains in good hands. “

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

It is now clear that House Democrats are doubling down to let Madigan’s corrupt machine run the state. Instead of Madigan, they’ve been promoted to a serial offender and sexual assault on women. But despite this, Welch passed the most important test this fall – he’s been a staunch Madigan ally for years, but recently acted as Madigan’s human shield in legislative hearings that investigated the sweeping corruption scandal that eventually toppled Madigan.

This decision is a joke to the people of Illinois, and we will make sure that every voter understands that House Democrats simply cannot leave Madigan. ‘