SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This week, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB208 into law, which makes Illinois the third state in the nation to mandate paid time off to be used for any reason. This legislation provides employees up to 40 hours of paid leave during a 12-month period. Thanks to this new law, roughly 1.5 million workers will begin earning paid time off beginning in 2024.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois House of Representatives elected Nicole Hill to become the chamber’s first female chief doorkeeper in the state’s history. Hill, a Springfield resident, was selected from a pool of more than 80 applicants and comes to the House with an impressive resume.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A strong, diverse coalition of House Democratic lawmakers will lead the Caucus’ effort to continue rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house, make smart investments in critical services, and prioritize the needs of working families.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – For the first time since being elected to lead the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch presided over Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address. The governor’s proposal focused on investments in early childhood education and childcare, higher education, and efforts to fight poverty, while maintaining his commitment to improving Illinois’ finances.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – It is tradition for the Governor to deliver his annual State of the State and Budget Address to a joint session in the House Chamber. However, for the past two years, a global pandemic and a dangerous snowstorm forced Governor JB Pritzker to relocate. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is excited to host the governor for the first time since he was elected to lead the chamber.“
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Members of the Illinois House of Representatives passed rules for the chamber this week, which allows legislative activity to begin for the 103rd General Assembly. Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch thanked members of both sides of the aisle for their participation in crafting the rules. They passed with bipartisan support on Wednesday.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. – Members of the Illinois House of Representatives are returning to Springfield next week to begin work for the 2023 legislative session. Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will begin his second term leading the House, surrounded by one of the most diverse Democratic Caucuses in Illinois’ history.
Read MoreROSEMONT, Ill. – For the first time in the history of the Illinois House of Representatives, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch hosted a leadership retreat for the assistant leaders and deputy leaders of the House Democratic Caucus.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the members of his House Democratic leadership team Thursday, which includes Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, Speaker Pro Tempore and Chief Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth, Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez, Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman, and Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner.
Photo Credit: UIS
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch was officially nominated by the House of Representatives to serve a second term as the chamber's leader on Wednesday.
Photo Credit: UIS
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Illinois lawmakers returned to Springfield this week for the lame duck session and inaugural events for the 103rd General Assembly next week.
Read MoreHILLSIDE, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and peaceful holiday season.
Read MoreWashington, D.C. – This week House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch joined Biden administration policy experts to discuss and collaborate on legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Items for discussion included reproductive health, common-sense gun reform, paid family leave, and lifting up America's working families.
Read MoreSpringfield, Ill. – This week, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB1095, a trailer bill that clarifies and strengthens the landmark SAFE-T Act, which was originally passed in 2021. This series of amendments clarifies the detention net, expands the processes for transitioning to cashless bail on January 1st, and specifies definitions of willful flight and dangerousness, and more.
Read MoreSpringfield, Ill. – This week, Governor JB Pritzker and lawmakers announced a bipartisan agreement to pay off the remaining $1.36 billion unemployment insurance loan balance and replenish the fund for any future emergencies. This historic agreement saves taxpayers an estimated $20 million in interest costs that would be due next September and preserves hundreds of millions of dollars in future federal tax credits for Illinois employers.
Read MoreSpringfield, Ill. – Lawmakers returned to Springfield this week for the fall veto session and will return November 29th to finish up work for the 102nd General Assembly. Agenda items include making clarifications to the SAFE-T Act to ensure proper implementation and new member orientation.
Read MoreSpringfield, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is hosting the second annual job fair at the Illinois State Capitol on Friday, November 18th from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. in Room 114.
Read MoreSpringfield, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting free virtual workshops as part of its continuing Building Blocks of Success series for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms interested in strengthening their skills, growing their business, and bidding on state projects. New and existing DBEs, as well as firms interested in becoming certified in the program, are invited.
Read MoreForest Park, Ill. – Roughly 250 seniors and veterans attended Speaker Emanual “Chris” Welch’s 10th Annual Resource Fair in Forest Park this past weekend.
Read MoreForest Park, Ill. – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is once again hosting a resource fair for senior citizens and veterans in the community on Saturday, October 22nd from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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