Originally published on February 26, 2021 3:53 pm
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan s legislative district seat saw not just one, but two replacements within a week. And Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a large reform package dealing with crime and policing.
The Chicago Sun-Times Rachel Hinton joins the panel.
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Just a couple of weeks into a job that most people couldn’t imagine being held by anyone other than the guy who had it for decades, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch is putting together a House that looks both familiar and different at the same time.
Welch’s first week included a rollout of his new leadership team, with a Black woman as speaker pro tempore and fresh faces throughout. By the third week, we’ll see committee membership rosters and vice chairs. The following week will be the new rules.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin told reporters he was “pleased” that Welch was allowing his party some input on the rules. Durkin told the Chicago Sun-Times’ Rachel Hinton that Welch suggested the two get together regularly for coffee or breakfast. I seriously doubt Durkin ever received such an invite from House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Just a couple of weeks into a job that most people couldn’t imagine being held by anyone other than the guy who had it for decades, Illinois House Speaker Chris
Multiple media sources are reporting that state Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (7th) is now in the mix as a possible successor to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who suspended his campaign for House Speaker of the 102nd General Assembly on Jan. 11.