Welch Highlights Big Advancements and Investments in First Four Years as Speaker
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – Marking four years to the day since his historic election, House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch is highlighting major legislative victories for Illinois and looking ahead to the next steps to uplift working families.
“The four years since I was first honored with the opportunity to serve as Speaker of the House have been truly transformational years for our state. That work has not always been easy, but that work has always been what the moment demanded of us, and we’ve risen to meet the demands of those moments,” Welch said. “The advancements we’ve achieved and the investments we’ve made were possible because of our unity, because of negotiation, and by understanding that people everywhere want to see us all move forward as one. As we meet the new challenges of this moment, we need to continue to build on these successes and continue to deliver for Illinois families.”
Welch was elected Speaker for the first time on Jan. 13, 2021. Since taking office, he has worked closely with his House and Senate colleagues and Governor JB Pritzker to secure the passage of monumental legislative initiatives rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house, making communities safer, helping families make ends meet, and more. Among these major accomplishments are:
Fiscally and socially responsible budgets that have cut debt, rebuilt Illinois’ ‘rainy day’ fund, and restored Illinois to A-level credit while also investing in critical services for families.
Record investment in education, including more than $100 million in new funding for MAP Grants, $1.4 billion in new funding for public schools, and implementation of Pritzker’s Smart Start Initiative.
Landmark gun safety laws, including the nation’s strongest ban on assault weapons, extended magazines, and passage of Karina’s Bill this month, which strengthens protection orders to get guns out of the hands of abusers.
The Healthcare Protection Act, which makes care better and more affordable by putting a check on premium increases, curbing practices that deny care, and getting junk insurance plans out of the market.
Legislation developed with law enforcement groups, prosecutors, and criminal justice advocates to strengthen and refine the SAFE-T Act, allowing for a smooth implementation possible.
Strong new ethics law expanding financial disclosure, requiring more in-depth training, and curbing legislative fundraising during session.
Repealing Illinois’ last anti-choice law and passing the new protections for patients and reproductive health providers in Illinois.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which brought business, labor, and environmental advocates together to move Illinois toward a clean energy future, while creating tens of thousands of green jobs, and prioritizing the needs of environmental justice communities.
The Workers’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution, ensuring workers have the right to organize and collectively bargain; and the Worker Freedom of Speech Act, which ends forced participation in political or anti-union presentations in the workplace.
Elimination of the state grocery tax and creation of Illinois’ first ever state-level child tax credit, which will help modest-income families make ends meet while raising young children.
“The opportunity to continue to serve people across our state remains a tremendous honor and a humbling responsibility—because the work ahead of us is so important,” Welch said. “Reflecting on the work of the past four years gives us a map to navigate the new opportunities and challenges we will face in the years to come. Because our accomplishments show that when we stand together and prioritize the common good, we can get big things done.”