Speaker Welch Meets With U.S. Senators Durbin and Duckworth

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch met with U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on Wednesday to discuss Illinois’ humanitarian response to the arrival of more than 15,000 migrants. During their meeting, they spoke about the need for the Biden Administration to offer critical support to Illinois as it responds to migrants arriving in the state.

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Andrea Garcia
Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Assault Weapons Ban

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state’s assault weapons ban on Friday after months of legal challenges. This lifesaving law, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, bans the sale of assault weapons, large capacity magazines, and rapid-fire devices.

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Andrea Garcia
Illinois Guarantees Robust Early Childhood Education for All

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed a bipartisan measure that guarantees all-day kindergarten for all Illinois children, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. This proposal, spearheaded by Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, also establishes the Full Day Kindergarten Task Force, which will conduct a statewide audit to inform the planning of implementation of full day kindergarten programs.

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Andrea Garcia
President Biden Signs Proclamation Establishing Emmett Till National Monument

WASHINGTON – On what would have been Emmett Till’s 82nd birthday, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation designating a national monument to honor him and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Till was 14 years old in 1955, when he was abducted, tortured, and murdered after being accused of whistling at a white woman while visiting relatives in Mississippi. Till’s mother chose to have an open casket at her son’s funeral, forcing America to confront the violent racism of the Jim Crow south. The child’s brutal lynching became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.

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Andrea Garcia
Speaker Welch Joining Trade Mission to the United Kingdom

CHICAGO, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will join Governor JB Pritzker along with leaders in business and education from across Illinois on a trade mission to the United Kingdom on July 16. The delegation of leaders will meet with their counterparts in London to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between Illinois and the United Kingdom. Programming throughout the mission will focus on manufacturing, clean energy and technology, quantum, higher education collaboration, and other key industries.

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Andrea Garcia
Mark Your Calendars: Speaker Welch to Host 11th Annual Back to School Health Fair in July

HILLSIDE, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is hosting his 11th annual Back to School Health Fair this month. The event will be held on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Proviso West High School in Hillside. School and sports physicals will be available and free to the public. The first 200 families will receive their own free school supply kits with essential items for the upcoming school year.

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Andrea Garcia
Illinois Authorizes New State-Based Marketplace for Health Insurance, Rate Review (Copy)

CHICAGO, Ill. – This week, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a new state-based marketplace for Illinois, which gives state agencies additional tools to create a more consumer-focused health insurance exchange and better identify traditionally uninsured communities. Additionally, the governor also signed legislation that will protect health care consumers from unfair rate hikes.

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Andrea Garcia
Legislative Leaders, Governor Pritzker Announce FY24 Budget Agreement

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined Governor JB Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon on Wednesday to announce an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The agreed budget prioritizes fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in early childhood and higher education, public safety, workforce development, behavioral and mental health services, and more.

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Andrea Garcia