* The ILBC includes members in both chambers…
We want to thank Speaker Madigan for his dedication to public service and leadership. We believe that in order to unite our state and party, we need to nominate a leader who will bridge the divide and seek solutions for our urgent issues. Rep. Chris Welch has worked his entire life to advocate for his district and for communities across the state. We are confident he will succeed in leading our party and prioritizing our communities.
…Adding… From Rep. Welch…
I am honored to be called upon my colleagues from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to put my name in for consideration. This historic moment in Illinois and across the country calls for new representation and unity of democratic beliefs. I want to thank Speaker Madigan for his leadership - it has been a challenging year for us all but I am grateful for his commitment to serving the public.
…Adding… Press release…
The Faith in Place Action Fund stands in solidarity with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in their unanimous support of Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
The Faith in Place Action Fund has worked closely with Rep. Welch to advance their mission: people of faith and conscience promoting political action for environmental justice in Illinois.
This included Rep. Welch being the chief sponsor of HR234 in 2017 (100th General Assembly), a resolution declaring “that we work together to create an environmental justice agenda that creates clean energy jobs that are accessible to all, addresses gender inequities and income disparities as we move toward a green economy, reduces recidivism rates while curbing climate change, and shapes policy that addresses the adverse and disproportionate impacts of climate change upon communities of color and economically-disadvantaged communities.”
Faith in Place Action Fund has worked closely with Rep. Welch to advance this agenda. His outspoken and tireless advocacy towards passing crucial legislation such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act is evidence of his commitment to people and justice. As a result, he receives their full endorsement, as they know he is the right leader at this moment to work for justice and equity on behalf of all Illinoisans.
“Our injustices are rooted in systematic racism and this moment calls for Black leadership at the Statehouse in Springfield to advance policies that connect the dots between mass incarceration, environmentalism, and a just economy. Rep. Welch is the candidate qualified to provide us this inspired leadership.” - Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Board Chair, Faith in Place Action Fund
The Faith in Place Action Fund is ready to work with Rep. Welch as Speaker of the Illinois House to continue to champion justice and equity focused legislation. They look forward to ongoing collaboration with the lead sponsor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), who is also running for Speaker as a dedicated environmental champion.
- Todd - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:39 am:
I mentioned this over the weekend so if Welch gets to 60, does MJM walk away from these bills now?
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:42 am:
RE: Madigan: Don’t like him, don’t hate him.
It’s over Mike, Father Time is undefeated.
- SAP - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:44 am:
Trying to shape the narrative by talking about Madigan like he is done. Interesting.
- Jvslp - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:51 am:
Question…if the eventual new speaker is a Madigan staunch supporter will it wind up being more of the same in terms of bill after bill dying in committees (if it didn’t fit with what he wanted) and the type of power grip that Madigan did? I recognize that Madigan didn’t attain this kind of power overnight and took upwards of 40+ years to achieve.
- S. Side - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:54 am:
Welch is certainly the best self-promoter in the GA. Not only that, the ILBC seems bought in.
But will the rest of the caucus?
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:58 am:
Remember the Latinx Caucus has to release their votes. They are currently ‘pending’ with MJM only. Expect them to roll out their candidate….Assistant Leader Crespo?
that’s when the battle to 60 will begin.
- WH Mess - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:14 am:
As Rep. Thapedi would say, what an opportunist. /s
In all seriousness, I am glad to see this. It’s time to see who has the chops to unite this caucus. As Rich noted, Madigan was no superhero, but winning support from this diverse group is hard work and it’s remarkable how long Madigan did it. But there are many talented leaders in the House who deserve a chance to help lead a more inclusive and participatory House.
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:15 am:
===Remember the Latinx Caucus has to release their votes. They are currently ‘pending’ with MJM only. Expect them to roll out their candidate….Assistant Leader Crespo?===
The caucus has been surprisingly silent.
- Hmmmmmm - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:15 am:
Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone.
- "Old Timer Dem" - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:20 am:
I am surprised the ILBC didn’t get behind an African American woman. It would have been easier to get the other women in the caucus to support a woman. Madigan isn’t through yet.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:25 am:
Old Timer Dem….in agreement.
Reps. Sonya Harper and Ammons (but after the controversy with the alleged purse issue, not sure?). The dean of the House, though qualified, I don’t think Rep. Flowers would be interested.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:25 am:
Far from my first choice, yet way better than Madigan. I can pretty much live with anyone but Madigan.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:36 am:
Someone needs to get 60. If it is a person of color, great. If it is a woman, great. Based on the statements that have been shared by the different caucuses it is evident that a person of color or female speaker is important to them and I appreciate their positions.
But somebody needs 60 and if it is a white male then so be it but that seems highly doubtful at this time and that is just fine too.
Whomever it is, I would like someone a little more centrist and capable of getting things done that actually solves problems.
- yeah... - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:37 am:
It’ll be interesting to see if he can get the Latino caucus. And especially the women’s caucus.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:53 am:
- “Old Timer Dem” - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:20 am:
I don’t think it’s true that the other women in the caucus would get behind a Black woman. The Black women call the HDWC the “White Woman’s Caucus” for a reason.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:03 am:
“if the eventual new speaker is a Madigan staunch supporter will it wind up being more of the same in terms of bill after bill dying in committees (if it didn’t fit with what he wanted) and the type of power grip that Madigan did?”
No.
For good and ill, there will never be another Madigan.
– MrJM
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:08 am:
===there will never be another Madigan===
Agreed, but the Tribune will of course ignore that reality.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:29 am:
if another woman wants to take the risk to step up and declare herself for Speaker, go ahead, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Americans all. how convenient to blame ambition of women who happen to be white when white men have had control for decades in the US, men of all colors in control across the world for eons.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:58 am:
==Bill after bill dying in committee if it didn’t fit what he wanted==
So this happens in legislatures around the country and the US Congress, including Republican controlled ones. Shocking I know. That’s why you try to get the majority.
- The Most Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
@Amalia These are ambitious women who happen to be white and therefore they’re inherently limited to what they truly understand and are motivated to change. A white woman in the role would be an improvement but it doesn’t go far enough. We need to ensure that broader perspectives beyond whiteness are brought into leadership. Saying that men of all colors have been in control across the world “for eons” reads like white fragility erasing centuries of struggle and anti-Black racism.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
Black women are the bedrock of the Democratic Party, and they just endorsed Welch.
There is no reason that Williams and her supporters and Hoffman and his supporters can’t get behind Welch.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 12:53 pm:
Liked the mention of Fred Crespo. Very hard working and serious Public servant. He understands budget issues and maintains a very good local service office.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 1:06 pm:
@the Most Anonymous, and women of any color can say that there is not understanding by men of any color. as for the rest of the world, it’s pretty bad out there for women, and I don’t mean white women that I’m advocating for in the rest of the world.
- Veil of Ignorance - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 3:02 pm:
Welch is a very skilled legislator, but I’m surprised the Caucus is pushing him specifically vs a very viable female legislator. Springfield may also want to signal multiple things with this opportunity.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 3:16 pm:
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 1:06 pm:
Fact: every Black woman in the House endorsed Chris Welch.
- Flyer - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 3:57 pm:
Just think, if Representative Welch is elected Speaker and matches Speaker Madigan’s longevity, we’re looking at the mid 2050’s
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 4:31 pm:
Yes, Precinct Captain that is a fact. It’s probably easier to imagine a Black man in the chair since Black men have been in the House for nearly 150 years, and Cecil Partee was the President of the Senate.