Speaker Welch Announces Creation of House Budget Negotiation Team, Led by Chief Budgeteer Greg Harris
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In his continued effort to prioritize shared leadership among a diverse group of members in the House of Representatives, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) announced today the creation of a House Budget Negotiation Team.
Representatives Will Davis, Elizabeth Hernandez, Mike Zalewski and Robyn Gabel will closely assist Majority Leader and Chief Budgeteer Greg Harris this legislative session during budget conversations.
“We have made great progress putting Illinois on the path toward financial stability,” said Speaker Welch. “With the stewardship of Leader Harris and this incredibly diverse group of state representatives, I am confident we will have a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of hardworking Illinoisans.”
Under the direction of Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Illinois has reduced a bill backlog that reached $17 billion during the Rauner budget impasse to under $4 billion today. He has led the budget process for years and brings with him a wealth of knowledge. He consistently prioritizes the middle class while ensuring the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. It is thanks to Harris’ leadership that Illinois received its first credit ratings increase in decades.
Representative Will Davis (D-Homewood) will also join the House negotiating team. As chairman of the House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, Davis has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure the state has a responsible budget that properly funds all of our state’s schools.
Representative Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez (D-Cicero) joins the negotiating team after leading redistricting efforts in the House. A member of the Revenue and Finance Committee, as well as House Appropriations for Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education, Hernandez has spent over 15 years in the General Assembly as a leading voice for the Latino community.
Representative Michael Zalewski (D-Riverside) is bringing his valuable experience as chairman of the House Revenue Committee to the budget negotiating team. Zalewski has made clear he is committed to crafting a practical, balanced budget which addresses the major challenges facing Illinoisans across the state.
Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) will take a lead role in the House’s budgeting process due to her leadership on many major legislative initiatives, particularly those focused on Medicaid reform and affordable healthcare. As a seasoned legislator, Gabel has shown her steadfast support for responsible budgeting that invests in Illinoisans’ future without saddling the state with unsustainable, long-term financial burdens.
Combined, this diverse group of representatives has unmatched institutional knowledge that will greatly benefit the budget negotiation process. Their command of a wide range of policy issues will ensure that Illinois produces and passes a responsible state budget that Illinoisans can be proud of.