Chicago, Ill. – At the invitation of New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will travel to Albany to visit the State Assembly on Tuesday, May 24.
Read MoreChicago, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined Democratic colleagues on Wednesday as Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4383 into law, which bans the sale and possession of untraceable "ghost guns” in Illinois.
Read MoreChicago, Ill. – After years of advocacy from community leaders, the red-light cameras at one of suburban Chicago’s busiest intersections have been ordered to be removed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Read MoreChicago, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch delivered remarks at the 40th IBEW International Convention on Wednesday affirming his lifelong support for unions, workers' rights and the labor movement.
Read MoreChicago, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch stood with Democrats this week condemning the Supreme Court's draft opinion that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, and will allow states to strip away a woman's right to bodily autonomy.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to address Illinois’ current teacher shortage, the state legislature passed a package of bills to better recruit new candidates. On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the measures into law. This legislative package will lower fees for educators, create more opportunities, and will focus on diversifying the entire profession.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – One week after the General Assembly passed a fiscally responsible and balanced budget, Governor JB Pritzker signed it into law on Tuesday. This budget provides $1.8 million in tax relief to hardworking families across the state, while also making historic investments in vital services Illinoisans depend on.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Emphasizing the need to support families facing hardship from the pandemic and inflation, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch helped shepherd in a state budget package that provides direct relief to residents, increases investment in child care assistance and directs additional resources to programs that target the underlying causes of violence.
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch supported a package of public safety proposals this week, aimed at supporting law enforcement, stopping carjacking, boosting mental health support, and other public safety needs.
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – With states across the country passing draconian bans on reproductive health care, House Democrats made it clear on Thursday that Illinois will always protect a person's right to choose.
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – After weeks of negotiation between the Proviso Teachers Union and the District 209 board, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is pleased to see that Proviso students will return to the classroom next week.
Read More“I'm deeply concerned that after an 11-day strike, a resolution has still not been reached. Our top priority is our students and their education. I want to encourage all parties involved to work diligently to come to an agreement as soon as possible.”
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the House of Representatives to close its doors to members of the public, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch welcomed the first guest back to the chamber on Wednesday.
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is delighted to welcome back guests to the House of Representatives after two years of a global health pandemic forced the chamber to institute health and safety mitigations.
Read More“As Chair of the Special Investigating Committee, I made it clear that this matter needed to be handled in a court of law, completely separate from the legislature.”
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, IL – Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch made a public request to members of the Illinois House of Representatives this week to bring civility and respect back to Springfield.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following the Democrat's commitment to ensure ethical oversight over the General Assembly, the Illinois House of Representatives took decisive action to appoint Michael McCuskey, a veteran judge of both federal district court and state circuit court, as the next Legislative Inspector General. After decades of service that routinely earned bipartisan support, Justice McCuskey expressed interest in continuing his public service to help restore confidence in state government.
Read MoreSpringfield, IL – With Governor JB Pritzker's plan to lift the statewide mask requirement, Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch applauded the people of Illinois for doing their part to keep each other as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch applauded Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address that was delivered on Wednesday at the Old State Capitol. The governor's proposal included $1 billion in one-time relief for every Illinoisan, made possible after years of hard work and fiscally responsible decisions with the General Assembly.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Welch announced on Thursday that House members will return to Springfield for legislative session next week.
Read More