Speaker Welch Reflects on 2023 Achievements

 

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – As the holiday season comes to a close, House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch is reflecting on another successful year in the state legislature. 

“As Speaker of the House, lifting up families in communities all across this state has always been my priority,” said Speaker Welch. “In 2023, Illinois earned more credit upgrades with a balanced budget that was both responsible and compassionate, we invested in public education, protected a woman’s right to choose, and continued making Illinois a hub for electric vehicle production. Moving Illinois forward remains my top priority and I look forward to even more success in 2024.”

Highlights of 2023 Accomplishments

  • Passed another balanced budget that led to additional credit upgrades. This budget prioritized financial stability and made smart investments in early childhood and higher education, public safety, behavioral and mental health services, and much more. 

  • Allocated $20 million in additional pension payments, bringing the total pension stabilization investments to $700 million. 

  • Continued to build Illinois’ rainy-day fund and pay down debt. 

  • Added $350 million to the evidence based funding formula to ensure every Illinois child receives a quality education. 

  • Invested in higher education and provided historic funding increases for public universities and community colleges. This includes a $100 million in additional Monetary Award Program (MAP) to give financial support to students who need it most. 

  • Made historic investments in early childhood education and childcare with a $250 million investment in Smart Start Illinois.

  • Allocated $1.6 million to launch the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Illinois to provide free books to all children under the age of five. 

  • Invested in the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship program. 

  • Speaker Welch introduced and passed legislation to allow legislative staff to unionize, maintaining his commitment to workers’ rights. 

  • Protected reproductive rights and a woman’s right to choose. 

  • Improved access to care and protected consumers from unfair health insurance rate hikes. 

  • Passed legislation to improve equity in the cannabis industry. 

  • Allocated an $85 million increase to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing, and other programs.

  • Invested $20 million in food deserts across the state, allowing underserved communities to open or expand grocery stores. 

  • Codified protections for Illinoisans who face housing discrimination. 

“The new year brings an opportunity to reflect on the past year while also setting new goals,” said Speaker Welch. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in recent years and I know we will continue to push Illinois forward in 2024.” 

Lawmakers return for the 2024 legislative session on Tuesday, January 16.

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Andrea Garcia