* Tribune…

Illinois House Republicans welcomed a new member on Monday after Grundy County Board Chairman David Welter was picked by party officials to represent the 75th District.

Welter replaces former Rep. John Anthony, who resigned in June to begin a new position as executive assistant to the director of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Welter, of Morris, has served as Grundy County Board chairman since 2014 and first joined the county board in 2010 when he was 19.

In a statement, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin said Welter was joining the legislature “during very difficult times” but said he was confident the newest member of his caucus was prepared “to do the heavy lifting required to get Illinois back on track.”

* More…

Welter, who has served on the Grundy County Board since age 19, was appointed Grundy County chairman Dec. 1, 2014, and currently holds the position.

“I am extremely impressed by the level of experience, professionalism and accomplishments that Mr. Welter has packed into his six years in public service,” Marter said in the news release. “David’s passion, youth and energy will be an asset to the residents of the 75th district.”

* Former Rep. Anthony had his own preferred candidate and was initially angry about the choice…

He later deleted the tweet and apologized.

* From Welter’s Facebook page…

Should we welcome our new legislator with a caption contest?

       

111 Comments - Collinsville Kevin - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:12 pm: Shakin’ hands with a welterweight… - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:12 pm: “C’mon son, you’re 25 years old and still don’t know how to shake a hand?” - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:14 pm: Aaron Schock 2.0 - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:14 pm: Governor Rauner tries to decide whether Rep. Welter’s tie is too short or his pants are too long. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:14 pm: Oops, typo. Governor Rauner tries to decide whether Rep. Welter’s tie is too short or his pants are too low. - Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:16 pm: “Now that I’m in the GA I can get rid of this stinkin’ nametag.” - G'Kar - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:17 pm: “Now that I own you, I will teach you the secret handshake.”/s - Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:19 pm: “Yes, I completely support your Turnaround Agenda. Will you let go of my hand now?” - Harvest76 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:20 pm: The governor proudly welcoming his choice Director of Pokemon Go. - Man with a plan - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:20 pm: Well, glad I dressed up for this, Mr. Welter. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:21 pm: My dear friend former Rep. Anthony had me in mind to replace him. It just didn’t work out. John, “We’ll take it from here” Signed, Everyone else. I’m sure veto session will be interesting… … right Rep. Chapa La Via? I’m half-joking. To the “caption”… “Ask around, I can be your friend, or I can crush you… ‘Representative’… (pause)… how about a picture?” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:23 pm: “You’ll get your voting key… when I decide you know what to do. Op, picture time… “ - Spliff - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:23 pm: Governor could you please let go of my hand - Mama - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:24 pm: David Welter, welcome to the Zoo. - Hello - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:24 pm: Rep. Welter is already shakin’ up Springfield…Governor Rauner is wearin’ a tie! - Nuke the Whales - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:24 pm: Make a Wish kid appointed legislator for a day. - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:24 pm: Force the wrist down and gain the upper hand step in and crowd - illini - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:24 pm: The male version of Rep. Bourne. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:28 pm: Meet David Welter our new Raunerite Youth Brigade standard bearer! - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:28 pm: Trump supporters - Michael Westen - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:29 pm: Now that it is official, may I shine your shoes too,Governor? - Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:29 pm: You think this hurts Kid, just push the wrong color button on the floor and you will find out what pain is. - Ghost - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:30 pm: For sale - Pawn - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:32 pm: Not a caption. I’m so tired of the Gov’s cynical foisting of inexperienced youth into positions where they will make consequential decisions in people’s lives. And no, I don’t consider 6 years in Grundy county as equivalent to 6 years of life as an adult. - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:34 pm: Collective cronyism - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:34 pm: “I’d say you’re the next Aaron Schock, but, I destroyed him… (Sigh)… Picture, David?” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:35 pm: “No, no… we’ll take the picture… then we’ll tell Johnny Anthony you’re replacing him… “ - Saluki - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:35 pm: Bought and Paid for. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:36 pm: Pawn, would you like to throw some of the same outrage at appointments of previous administrations? - Silent Budgeteer - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm: “Now, back in college, the football players called this the ‘hundred-dollar handshake’. This is just for practice…” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm: “… and all the ice cream you can eat, that’s right David. Let’s take a picture… “ - Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:39 pm: Making the exchange in the gripped hands is the first check from 1.4% to cover the first Madigan “no” vote. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:39 pm: OW! I almost fell out of my chair! lol! - Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:41 pm: New cannon fodder in the battle Royale between 1.4% and the GA controlled by Madigan. - Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:42 pm: Better get a picture and frame it now, because it isn’t that often that 1.4% wears a tie for a lacky. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:42 pm: @FakeGovRauner - John, I got you your state job. This is your replacement. Take your new check an deal with this. - jls - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:45 pm: I’m the somebody somebody sent. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:45 pm: Governor Rauner meets with the Republican Spokesperson of the new House Committee on Puberty. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:46 pm: @FakeJasonPlummer - first Avery now David? What’s an under 30, unprepared legislative wanna-be gotta do to get a seat in the House? #ResignedToMyFate - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:46 pm: Gov. Rauner and Rep. Stopgap (R-Morris) – MrJM - Pawn - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:47 pm: Anon. Show me a list of the teenagers that Quinn appointed to the General Assembly please. - Amalia - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:48 pm: Youth is wasted on the young - Tough Guy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:50 pm: This is what a million dollar hand shake looks like. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:50 pm: @FakeJohnAnthony - I approve of such an outstanding pick and I strongly agree with those who made such a great pick #StartingOffOnTheWrongFoot #Backtrack #SuperstarAppointeeRules - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:53 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - thanks for the picture, Gov. Rauner! Now I need a pictures of a goat wearing a hat & me riding a bicycle built for 2 # FunAndGames #Pawns #SeriouslyComical - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:56 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - now that I got this new job, this is the last picture I take before getting a coat you wear with ties and stuff #FreshFace #PropsMakeTheRep - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:58 pm: @FakeJohnAnthony - yeah, I’m tweeting this picture again just to show everyone I agree with the choice I had no say in #FirstDayInNewJob #CoveringBases - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:00 pm: “… and governor.., no more clip-on ties… nope… it’s real, look… See!… Can I get a picture, that would be so sweet!” - illini - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:00 pm: Willy - do you think you will have as much fun with this as you did with Jason, or to a lesser extent, Avery? - Shake - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:01 pm: I Will Tell You What Color Of Button To Press Got IT?? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:01 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - Rest easy, the governor tonight told me I’m going to represent my district as best as I can for the Governor. #ProxyWithMoxy - Henry Francis - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:04 pm: Not a caption. I’m so tired of the Gov’s cynical foisting of inexperienced youth into positions where they will make consequential decisions in people’s lives. And no, I don’t consider 6 years in Grundy county as equivalent to 6 years of life as an adult. I hear ya, but whether it is a seasoned, experienced man (or woman) of the world doing what the Guv tells them to do, or some rube, what difference does it make? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:06 pm: - illini -, I doubt it. Jason is just unique. Rep. Welter is just in the barrel right now, we’ll see how it goes. @FakeGovRauner - I was amazed that David and I share do very much in common. I look forward to sharing more handshakes and press releases #FillInTheRep #Interchangeable - No Longer A Lurker - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:07 pm: Son, your $8000 check is in the mail. - illini - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:08 pm: @HenryFrancis - you have made two good points. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:10 pm: @FakeJohnAnthony - yes, I did delete a few tweets, some pictures, 8 vines, 3 snapchats, & 11 Instagrams about the appointment, but honestly I’m not upset #GotMyOfficeFurnitureToday - LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:11 pm: If anyone asks, you are a trucker and we are friends. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:12 pm: The pic is free; the budget cuts come later. - illini - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:13 pm: Willy - yeah, Jason was a unique and unforgettable candidate, several times. We have all enjoyed his campaigns. Wondering who might retire so he can get into the picture again! - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:17 pm: David, Diana and I are having a party this weekend…how would you like to come over and mow my lawn? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:18 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - I look forward to working with Gov. Rauner and all the voting decisions he will make for me #ThoughtfulCeding - Kathryn - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:21 pm: did you just put a million dollars in my hand? - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:22 pm: Do you stand for *goodness*, or for *badness?” - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:22 pm: Are you my pal, Mr. scholarship winner? - blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:23 pm: Don’t worry sonny-boy. When Schimpf wins the 58th senate seat, you two can be my new minority leaders. We need some new blood around here…..but don’t tell anyone our little secret. - Chungas revenge - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:24 pm: David - I am your father….. come over to the TA side…. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:26 pm: - 47th Ward -, well played. - illini -, Jason needs an “appointment” to get an appointment I think, lol @FakeDavidWelter - Thanks for the picture, governor, and the Carhartt too. Mine was worn out #Devolving - BluegrassBoy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:27 pm: “Representative Welter shaking hands with all the people he will be representing” - AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:31 pm: Didn’t I just shoo this kid off my lawn last week? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:31 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - I was told by Gov. Rauner here that the IL House is like Mock Government; lots of sham votes and in the end it seemed like something got done but only by the participants. #KnowsEnough - Jocko - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:36 pm: Bruce and his Boy Wonder. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:37 pm: @FakeDavidWelter - if I do this right, I’ll stick around for 18 months, then disagree with the governor, then get a sweet appointment. #FollowingInTheFootsteps - Albany Park Patriot - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:40 pm: “Hello, goodbye.” - Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:40 pm: ‘What I Did On Summer Vacation’ by David Welter - Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:42 pm: Rauner–What are you talking about David? I don’t even know what a ‘Perkymon’ is… - Joe M - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:43 pm: Governor Rauner: Please welcome our new state representative, Aaron Schock! CK: psst. Governor, that is not Aaron Schock. Governor Rauner: As I was saying, Please welcome our new state representative — who is even younger than Aaron Shock! - Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:44 pm: “You’re David Welter? Shoot, I thought you were Chris Pine. I wanted my picture with the Captain of the Enterprise” - pool boy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:45 pm: I’ve got sweaters older than you. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:45 pm: “Oh David, David, David, let’s just take this picture and you forget all those questions you have… you worry too much.” - train111 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:48 pm: Rauner Shopping list: 3 pairs of Carhartt slacks 1 gallon of Milk 2 loaves of bread 1 new State Rep - Joe M - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 1:55 pm: Davie told me that with the “vote my way” check I’m sending him, he is going to buy a new bicycle. - SAP - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:01 pm: Don’t trust anyone over 30. - Almost the Weekend - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:01 pm: And now we go to Avery Bourne to get her insight on how Governor Bruce Rauner feels about the “Millennial Legislative Caucus” - zatoichi - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:05 pm: R:The iron claw is never forgotten. W: Owww.. - Small Town Girl - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:08 pm: Ok I smiled and said “cheese” for the picture now you promised to take me and Avery to Chuck E Cheese. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:26 pm: Yes this is just like Model UN. We talk a lot and don’t accomplish anything here either. - Miss Marie - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:46 pm: W: “How much longer will this handshake take? I have some Pokémon I need to catch!” - Miss Marie - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:47 pm: W: “I’m super psyched to be a representative! My mom said she’s going to buy me some more ties!” - Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:53 pm: Gov. Rauner welcomes High School Junior Davey Welter to Springfield as part of Illinois’ high school enrichment program. Said Davey, “golly, I just think the governor is really swell.” - Miss Marie - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:56 pm: W: “Dude, if I win, I’m going to have a major kegger!” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:59 pm: “David, I clouted a denied, Winnetka-Living daughter into Chicago’s Payton Prep, and you question me getting you a seat in the House? David, I own the Caucus. This is child’s play. You just smile and stop worrying… “ - A guy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:00 pm: Hey Gehrig, grab a bat. Wally Pip Anthony ain’t feeling good today. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:06 pm: @FakeJohnAnthony - I’m important to the replacement process, not inconsequential, like people say. I want respect! #FredoAnthony - G'Kar - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:09 pm: “Are you the newest House page?” - Jake From Elwood - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:15 pm: “Oh no, not another pretty boy legislator like Lou Lang or Terry Link” - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:52 pm: David, do you like movies about Gladiators? - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:20 pm: And I thought my hands were small govenor - blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:23 pm: “Hi! I am David Welter. I look young, but that is because I am. I need to get started early in the politics game. If I don’t, how can I become a career politician and dedicate my life to being a public servant.” - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:23 pm: Dave and bluster - blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:25 pm: Illini@1:13. If they didn’t give him the Luchtefeld job, he may be on the outs. - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:26 pm: The grand compromise of the grand old party - XDDR - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:34 pm: Rauner: “When I wear a tie you wear a tie, when I ……., ok I think you get my drift son”. - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 7:56 pm: We just got here - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 8:02 pm: From great America to make America great again - XDNR - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 8:31 pm: Rauner: “Crisis creates leverage so remember that son, and I have directed our illustrious House Floor Leader Ron Sandack to be your mentor so you’ll be in good hands”. - expat - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:08 pm: When do I get fitted for the golden handcuffs - Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:36 pm: From chairman to commissioner - Jorge - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:21 pm: Don’t worry. The snake oil is on me, kid. - Late to the Party - Wednesday, Jul 13, 16 @ 6:53 am: My Lord, he’s young. Will he have to skip school to attend sessions? - Rabid - Wednesday, Jul 13, 16 @ 8:22 am: Now this is the correct way to hold your hand in the French horn - Rabid - Wednesday, Jul 13, 16 @ 8:24 am: The last time I was in Grundy was about 25/26 years ago Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.