In the News

I am grateful to the people of the 7th District for re-electing me to represent them in Springfield, and I am pleased to announce that I have secured the votes of my colleagues to continue to serve as Speaker of the House. I am honored by the trust my community and colleagues have placed in me. 

A bill allowing the unionization of legislative staff passed in the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD — Nearly a year after legislative staff in House Speaker Chris Welch's office privately declared their intent to unionize, there finally appears to be a path forward into the unchartered waters.

PEORIA (25News Now) - State officials from both sides of the aisle are reacting to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling to uphold the constitutionality of the controversial SAFE-T Act, ending cash bail in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD | Healthcare workers and state leaders joined to recognize the end of the state and federal COVID emergency declarations, while also continuing effective reforms initiated under the pandemic orders to streamline and expand delivery of care.

Chicago, Illinois– Just ahead of an election season, with new maps and adjusted timelines, the Democrats for the Illinois House are continuing to ramp up their team by adding former WVON News Anchor TaQuoya McConnico as their new Chief Communications Officer.

“I think a fair map is a map that reflects the diversity of our state,” Welch said. “Diversity is the strength of Illinois.”

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“The new Illinois House Speaker makes some news at an event co-sponsored by Crain’s and the Lincoln Forum.”

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“I am not a minister at a church, but you minister to people in different ways,” Welch said. “And if you do this job properly and correctly, not selfishly or have self-interest involved, it truly is a ministry. It's a calling and I believe that this is my ministry. It allows me to help people in my district.”

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By Rich Miller

"But new Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch told me earlier this month that “The legislature is back in business. We’re going to work in 2021.”

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“'I was that kid that always wanted to be a lawyer. When I was in grade school, in high school and in college, I was always involved in student government, so I would say my love of law and politics kind of grew together,' he said."

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By Rachel Hinton

"Welch, 49, has already accomplished the first thing on his agenda, which was to sit down with staff and prepare the House’s calendar for upcoming session days. It will be announced Thursday. “I do plan to have the Legislature very involved in the process,” he said."

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By Michael Romain

"A shivering crowd of at least 40 people gathered under snowfall and in 20-degree weather on Monday morning just across the street from Westlake to protest the recent decision by the hospital’s new owner to close the institution."

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By Michael Romain

"An area lawmaker was recently named to head a powerful committee in the Illinois House of Representatives, according to a report by Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax blog."

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By Michael Romain

"A state lawmaker who represents many parts of Proviso Township was recently named to help lead a key committee that is part of Illinois Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker’s campaign transition."

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