Capitol News Illinois
Newly-elected House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, passes a seated Rep. Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, as he returns to his seat on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center on Wednesday, Jan. 13, after being nominated to replace Madigan as speaker.
Credit Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch made history Wednesday, Jan. 13, by becoming the first Black person elected speaker of the Illinois House, succeeding Rep. Michael Madigan, who leaves the job after serving for 36 of the past 38 years.
The House came into session Wednesday afternoon to begin the 102nd General Assembly just moments after it adjourned a rare lame duck session that ended the 101st biennial session.
Originally House Bill 163 and now House Bill 3653, the law was written by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and includes among other things ending cash bail for non-violent offenders state-wide, requiring all police officers in the state to wear body cameras, expanding use of force guidelines and training for police, prohibiting chokeholds, and requires the maintenance of misconduct records and the use of special prosecutors in officer-involved deaths.
The new bill was amended with proposals from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul: including creating uniformity for officers and departments across the state, creating an easier and more uniform system of police certification and de-certification, and giving the Illinois Attorney General s Office authority under state law to investigate and resolve patterns or practices of unconstitutional policing.
The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice omnibus bill early Wednesday morning after a grueling 20 hours of politicking. The House followed suit Wednesday morning, clearing the way for the bill to head to the governor.
The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice omnibus bill early Wednesday morning after a grueling 20 hours of politicking. The House followed suit Wednesday morning, clearing the way for the bill to head to the governor.