Welch steps back from partner position at law firm Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, a Hillside Democrat, takes the oath of office to become the state House speaker last month at the Bank of Springfield Center. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register
Updated 2/1/2021 4:40 PM
SPRINGFIELD Since assuming his new role a few short weeks ago, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch has distinguished himself from his predecessor, Rep. Michael Madigan.
For example, the Hillside Democrat has unveiled changes to his leadership team and signaled plans to adjust the House rules governing the processes of bill movement.
Welch s approach to his law firm role is yet another departure from Madigan, who remained a partner at his property tax law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner, during his entire tenure as House speaker.
Rich Hein/Sun-Times; Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said he had already spoken with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch twice in the Democrat’s first ten full days in the top leadership post and the new speaker expressed an interest in “meeting on a regular basis for a cup of coffee or breakfast.”
“That didn’t happen with Mike Madigan,” Durkin told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Surprise.”
Durkin said “time will tell” if Welch holds to the promise of reaching across the aisle that the Hillside Democrat made in his speech just minutes after ascending to the powerful position leading the House two weeks ago.
House Republicans on Wednesday urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month that they say will create “major public safety issues.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the state must “thoroughly and carefully address police reform and criminal justice reform. It is the right thing to do.”
“I believe no person should have to live in fear of their government, and we must address those issues,” the Western Springs Republican said in a Zoom news conference Wednesday. “House Bill 3653 doesn’t do it. In short, it is a confusing, inoperable and contradictory attempt to reform policing and the criminal justice system.
Rich Hein, Pat Nabong/Sun-Times files
House Republicans on Wednesday urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month that they say will create “major public safety issues.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the state must “thoroughly and carefully address police reform and criminal justice reform. It is the right thing to do.”
“I believe no person should have to live in fear of their government, and we must address those issues,” the Western Springs Republican said in a Zoom news conference Wednesday. “House Bill 3653 doesn’t do it. In short, it is a confusing, inoperable and contradictory attempt to reform policing and the criminal justice system.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is the top candidate to take the gavel for the Illinois House. The Hillside Democrat could become the first Black House Speaker in Illinois history if he gains 60 votes Wednesday. Welch gained traction as a candidate after longtime Speaker Mike Madigan announced he would suspend his campaign Monday.
Welch received support from 50 members during a caucus vote Tuesday night with Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) receiving 15 votes. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) dropped out of the Speaker’s race Tuesday night. Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) ended her campaign for the post Monday night.