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Chris Welch (politician)

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Chris Welch
Welch in 2023.
70th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 13, 2021
Preceded byMichael Madigan
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2013
Preceded byCory Foster
Personal details
Born
Emanuel Christopher Welch

(1971-02-06) February 6, 1971 (age 53)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseShawnTe Raines
Children2
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
John Marshall Law School (JD)

Emanuel Christopher Welch[1] (born February 6, 1971), known as Chris Welch, is a lawyer and politician who is the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. A Democrat, he represents the 7th district in Cook County,[2] which includes all or parts of River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, Bellwood, Hillside, Westchester, La Grange Park and Berkeley.[3]

Welch was elected the 70th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives on January 13, 2021, succeeding longtime Speaker Michael Madigan. He is the first African American to serve in this position.

Education and law career

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Welch graduated from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois, in 1989.[4] He attended Northwestern University, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1993, and the John Marshall Law School, graduating with a J.D. degree in 1997.[5]

A member of the Illinois bar in private practice, Welch is a partner at Ancel Glink. Before Ancel Glink, he was a partner at Sanchez, Daniels and Hoffman, LLP.[4]

Proviso Township High School Board of Education

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In 2001, Welch was elected to the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education, and later served at the Board's president. Welch led the district's efforts to establish the nationally recognized Proviso Math and Science Academy.[6] He stepped down from the Board in 2013, upon his election to the House.[7]

In 2008, the Proviso School Board's former law firm, Odelson & Sterk, which it fired in 2007, sued Welch for allegedly making defamatory comments about the firm on the blog "Proviso Insider", to which Welch was an anonymous contributor. The district covered his legal expenses, but questions were raised about whether the firm was targeting Welch for actions taken in his personal capacity, with Board member Theresa Kelly filing a complaint with the regional superintendent of schools about the matter.[8] In 2011, Welch sought to have the district pay a $400,000 settlement he reached with the firm, but the District's Financial Oversight Panel blocked this. In July 2012, Welch agreed to pay the firm an unknown amount.[9]

Illinois House of Representatives

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Misconduct allegations

In March 2012, when Welch was running for state representative, a Chicago Sun-Times report detailed instances of alleged nepotism and misconduct Welch allegedly engaged in on the Board. Per the report, the District fired two women when their personal relationships with Welch ended, including a woman who claimed she was fired from her post as an assistant to the superintendent after breaking up with him. The woman filed a lawsuit about the matter, which was eventually settled.[10]

The other woman, Beyonca Johnson, said Welch sexually harassed her after their breakup and told her "she could kiss her job goodbye." She filed a restraining order and a federal lawsuit against Welch, both of which were later dismissed. She went on to run against Welch in the 2012 Democratic primary for the state House seat Welch won, losing to Welch.[11]

The district hired both Welch's brother and the best man at his wedding during Welch's tenure. In total, he allegedly hired 19 close friends and relatives to positions in the district.[10]

While running for state representative in 2006, Welch was criticized for several campaign donations he received from district contractors he helped hire.[12]

Elections

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Welch speaking at a drug policy conference in 2016.

Welch first ran for the Illinois House of Representatives in district 7 in 2006, challenging incumbent Democrat Karen Yarbrough. Welch focused his campaign on education. He lost the primary to Yarbrough.[12]

In 2012, Welch again sought the Democratic nomination for the legislative seat, and he narrowly defeated three other candidates including his former girlfriend in the primary and ran unopposed in the general election. He was sworn in on January 9, 2013.[13]

Welch's 2014 Democratic primary challenger, Antoinette Gray, was removed from the ballot for failing to meet the residency requirements for the position, leaving Welch unopposed in the primary.[14] He also ran unopposed in that year's general election for the seat.

In 2016, Welch sought a third term in the House, defeated Democratic primary challenger Chris Harris, and was unopposed in the general election. He was reelected in 2018 and 2020 without a challenger.[13]

Welch was reelected in 2022 against Republican challenger Eddie Kornegay with 77% of the vote.

Tenure

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In 2018, then Governor-elect J. B. Pritzker appointed Welch to the Educational Success transition committee, which is responsible for state education policy.[15]

Welch led a special House committee investigating the ComEd Bribery scandal, which then-House Speaker Michael Madigan, of whom Welch was a top ally, was later charged in. The committee's work ended abruptly without any findings. Welch later said that he felt the matter needed to be handled by prosecutors.[16]

Welch also chaired the House Executive Committee.[17] In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, he served as a presidential elector on behalf of Joe Biden, replacing former U.S. Representative Jerry Costello.[18]

House speaker

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Welch with U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi in 2021.

Election

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On January 13, 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives elected Welch speaker.[17] He is the first African American to serve as Speaker of the Illinois House.[17]

First term (2021–2023)

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In Welch's first term as House Speaker, the General Assembly passed an assault weapons ban,[19] the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Safe-T Act, and new district maps to reflect the 2020 census data.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats expanded their supermajority in the House to 78 seats. Welch said that the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs eliminating nationwide protection for abortion was a major factor in House Democrats' electoral success.[20]

According to the Chicago Tribune, Welch has "received mostly good reviews" from his caucus as speaker for "diversity in assigning tasks to and bringing in more people in bill negotiations."[21]

Second term (2023–)

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The House reelected Welch speaker on January 11, 2023.

Two days later, he announced Robyn Gabel would be Majority Leader, replacing Greg Harris, who retired.[22]

Welch supported a bill that bans assault weapons in 2023.[23]

Personal life

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Welch grew up with two brothers and three cousins, the children of his aunt who was murdered in Chicago. He has said that during his childhood, his mother worked as a nurse and his father was a union factory worker who worked two jobs a day.[24]

Welch is married to attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch and has two children.[4] Raines-Welch wife spent a decade working as a municipal attorney in several south suburban communities. In 2022, she won the Democratic nomination to be a Cook County judge.[25]

Welch lives in Hillside, Illinois.[26]

Electoral history

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Illinois 7th Representative District Democratic Primary, 2012[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch 4,670 39.10
Democratic Rory Hoskins 4,634 38.79
Democratic Beyonca Johnson 1,634 13.68
Democratic Princess C. Dempsey 1,007 8.43
Total votes 11,945 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2012[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch 35,505 100.0
Total votes 35,505 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2014[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 26,839 100.0
Total votes 26,839 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District Democratic Primary, 2016[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 18,117 65.55
Democratic Chris Harris 9,521 34.45
Total votes 27,638 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2016[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 39,914 100.0
Total votes 39,914 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2018[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 35,678 100.0
Total votes 35,678 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2020[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 43,883 100.0
Total votes 43,883 100.0
Illinois 7th Representative District General Election, 2022[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emanuel "Chris" Welch (incumbent) 24,725 77.6
Republican Eddie Kornegay 7,128 22.4
Total votes 31,853 100.0

References

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  1. ^ Village of Maywood Illinois. "Elected Officials". Archived from the original on 2021-01-22.
  2. ^ Hollman, John W., ed. (December 4, 2012). "97th General Assembly House of Representatives Transcription Debate 160th Legislative Day" (PDF). Illinois House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  3. ^ "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 4" (PDF). May 18, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Biography". Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  5. ^ "Illinois General Assembly – Representative Biography". www.ilga.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  6. ^ "Awards & Accomplishments". Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2023-03-24. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  7. ^ Lotus, Jean (2013-01-17). "Chris Welch steps down as District 209 school board president". Forest Park Review. Archived from the original on 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  8. ^ "Proviso schools chief is sued over blog". Chicago Tribune. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  9. ^ Lotus, Jean (2021-02-09). "Welch settles libel suit and other District 209 news". Forest Park Review. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  10. ^ a b "Report Alleges Nepotism By High School Board President, State Rep. Candidate". www.cbsnews.com. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  11. ^ "Rep. Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Madigan's successor as Illinois House speaker, faces questions about his treatment of women". Chicago Tribune. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  12. ^ a b Stern, Seth (2021-02-11). "Yarbrough campaign declares victory". Oak Park. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  13. ^ a b "Chris Welch". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  14. ^ Romain, Michael (2014-01-23). "New details emerge in Antoinette Gray ballot removal". Forest Park Review. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  15. ^ Miller, Rich (November 27, 2018). "Pritzker transition announces Educational Success Committee". Capitol Fax. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  16. ^ "Democrats seek to distance themselves from Michael Madigan as Gov. J.B. Pritzker acknowledges meeting with feds during investigation". Chicago Tribune. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  17. ^ a b c Crepeau, Rick Pearson, Dan Petrella, Jamie Munks, Ray Long, Megan (13 January 2021). "Michael Madigan's decadeslong grip on Illinois ends as House Democrats make Rep. Emanuel 'Chris' Welch state's first Black speaker". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Illinois Electoral College Members Formally Cast Ballots for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris". NBC Chicago. Chicago. 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  19. ^ "Assault weapons to be banned in Illinois: House passes bill — and Pritzker vows to sign it 'immediately'". Chicago Sun-Times. 2023-01-10. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  20. ^ "Poised for another term as speaker, Welch reflects on growing majority". Daily Herald. 2022-11-21. Archived from the original on 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  21. ^ "The toppling of Michael Madigan: How his reign as speaker ended and Emanuel 'Chris' Welch's emerged". Chicago Tribune. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  22. ^ "Capitol Fax.com – Your Illinois News Radar » *** UPDATED x1 – HGOP Leadership announced *** Rep. Robyn Gabel named Majority Leader, Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth will be new chief budgeteer". capitolfax.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  23. ^ "Illinois assault weapon ban heading to Pritzker's desk". Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  24. ^ Kapos, Shia (30 September 2022). "What shaped Welch's view". POLITICO. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  25. ^ Oceguera, Rita (14 July 2022). "'Who are you loyal to?' Complaints arose from Judge-elect ShawnTe Raines-Welch's work in south suburbs Judge-elect's work in south Cook County suburbs drew complaints". Injustice Watch. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  26. ^ Holmes, Tom (2021-07-06). "Chris Welch: the back story". Oak Park. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  27. ^ "Election Results 2012 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  28. ^ "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  31. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  32. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  34. ^ "Live 2022 Election Results". Election Results. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.[better source needed]
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Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
2021–present 		Incumbent
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