61 Comments - LINK - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:45 am: Wow and congrats. - @misterjayem - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:46 am: Ok… NOW it’s a done deal. – MrJM - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:46 am: Habemus Orator - Dirty Red - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:46 am: If we are playing on 1994, then I submit: Mr. Welch, I know how you feel. - Ok - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:46 am: “Speaker Welch” Just sayin’ - Jack - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:47 am: Another Speaker with a history of integrity problems. Great. - Lord of the Fries - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:47 am: I’m old enough to remember Rich being apoplectic over what Amy Grant said over the summer. Now he’s cheering on a known girl puncher and sexual harasser. I know this will get deleted or won’t make it past the filter but I’m going to say it anyway. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:48 am: His first order of business should be to evict the Republicans from their prime offices behind the chamber and let the Democrats reclaim the Speaker’s corridor. - tea_and_honey - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:49 am: ==Lord of the Fries== In what way is Rich “cheering on” anything? He’s reporting the factual outcome of the vote. - Kayak - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:50 am: White smoke and Green smoke pair well together. - northside reformer - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:53 am: Lord of the Fries- take a breath, have a drink, and take a nap. - ArchPundit - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:54 am: Today is Madigan’s 50th anniversary as a legislator. - Hon Don Gerard - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:54 am: Were it not for hyperbole they’d have no boles at all… - tea_and_honey - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:49 am: ==Lord of the Fries== In what way is Rich “cheering on” anything? He’s reporting the factual outcome of the vote. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:54 am: ==Another Speaker with a history of integrity problems. Great.== I can’t believe this didn’t get more play. It can’t be only those that have worked with him that know this… - Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:54 am: @Lord: “Known?” Accused; there’s a difference. - @misterjayem - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:55 am: Who took the under? Anybody? – MrJM - Salty - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:58 am: Madigan 2.0. First act will be to appoint his buddy majority leader. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:58 am: Any idea if Chris will keep Jessica and other staff? - Right - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:58 am: This is sad. Illinois can and should do better by women. - Lord of the Fries - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:59 am: @socially what happened to “believe women” ?? - Disgruntled IL Democrat - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:59 am: His history with women and effort to shield Madigan will not endear him, or the Democratic Party of IL, to the people of Illinois. I hope that someday soon we have leadership in the legislature that is known for high ethical standards and putting people, not power, first. I hope that I am proven wrong and that Speaker Welch leads with integrity, works to get the state on strong footing, and improves faith in state government. In that, I wish him well. - Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm: Congratulations. Now do better. - Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm: Dems may not have done themselves any favors here. Instead of having to answer “do you support Mike Madigan for speaker” every two years, now they have to answer “do you support domestic violence” every two years. Seriously, dems, you couldn’t settle on someone without the kind of history Welch has? - Fav Human - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm: I wonder who the three were? - Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:01 pm: Congrats Speaker Welch! - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:01 pm: How do we feel about now female House Dems? yeah, let’s celebrate? - Disappointed Female Suburban - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:08 pm: Illinois is, and continues to be a Political cess pool that knows no bounds. Hoping this gets national #METOO notice. - Bobby G - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:09 pm: He may be the new Speaker, but he’s Madigan’s guy, right? - Responsa - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:10 pm: Looking at the power behind the throne theory, this vote seems way too fast and way too easy. Couldn’t have happened without MJM’s acquiescence and probable support of this individual. I’m truly surprised and disappointed for the message this sent to the women of Illinois. - Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm: Speaker Welch - you now have the opportunity and the responsibility to prove to your detractors that alleged past incidents do not reflect how you will approach and perform in the role of Speaker and yes, as a man. Don’t let us down, and God bless you and your work. - Suburban Operative - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm: Congrats to Speaker Welch! Does Madigan stay in the GA as a member? Does he stay on as Chair of DPI? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:12 pm: === He may be the new Speaker, but he’s Madigan’s guy, right?=== I’d sleep with a night light, leave all closet doors open, get a dog and a dog to help the first dog… the boogeyman never leaves. I’d hate to be afraid of my own shadow. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:13 pm: We are in 2021?..during the #MeToo movement where we have more female leaders in government, academia, business, the arts, etc. We are not stuck in the 60’s-70’s issues like these were simply swept under the rug. well - what do we say to our young girls currently in an IL classroom or e-learning from home about our government leaders? - Leaving Illinois Soon - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:14 pm: The election of Welch is rooted in sexism and misogyny. - Hieronymus - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:15 pm: @”- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:46 am: Habemus Orator” I think that would be “Habemus Oratorem” /pendantry - Essential State Employee - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:16 pm: Will Steve Brown become Welch’s spokesperson, continue with Madigan’s staff, or retire? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:18 pm: - Hieronymus - I got Cs in Latin. - Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:19 pm: The Tribune article on Welch’s arrest and later harassment complaint makes me wonder how the heck he got votes from any women in the caucus. Certainly someone among the 72 could be a leader and not bring this kind of baggage. It seems completely indefensible. - Hieronymus - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:22 pm: “- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:18 pm: - Hieronymus - I got Cs in Latin.” I still got a good chuckle out of it. A very wry analogy. - PC - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:23 pm: - Leaving Illinois Soon - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:14 pm The opposition to Welch is rooted in racism. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:25 pm: ===I got Cs in Latin.=== You must have been smart. I only got Ls in Latin. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:26 pm: - 47th Ward - LOL Yeah, more like VIIs Well played. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:28 pm: Or LXXs See… not great. - HL Mencken - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:29 pm: I am optimistic for my state. I worried that a long fight would make Democrats look bad. Now we can hopefully move forward. - Austinman - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:31 pm: Congratulations to Speaker Welch - Revolver - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:32 pm: Woman beater - Birds on the Bat - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:37 pm: Abysmal failure by the Dem caucus. Apparently MeToo only applies to the right side of the aisle. Sad, sad day. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:38 pm: - Birds on the Bat - Aren’t you a Trump supporter? If you can’t help but make it partisan… - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:40 pm: Making serious issues framed to partisan thoughts weaken honest discussion to the issue. - Inconvenient Truths - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:40 pm: Leaving Illinois Soon == The election of Welch is rooted in sexism and misogyny. I am happy that Illinois has a Black Speaker and I hope that the criticism against him is not rooted in racism and white supremacy. Lord of the Flies == What happened to “believe women”? Have we forgotten the history of white “Karens” using their privilege with the police to falsely accuse black men who upset them? I don’t know the situation, but knowing that history I am not prepared to automatically give a white women the benefit of the doubt over a black man. - chad - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:44 pm: Okay, let’s have some fun. Time for about 20 retirements around the rail. “Vote for my bill or else” just stopped working! You have had plenty of time to save for that retirement. “Yeah, I know Welch pretty good” is only going to work so well, because you have not been in to see him for about three years, figuring he would just “go along”. Glad I don’t own stock in Saputo’s. “Darn, I should not have dropped my Sangamo membership, which is where they like to go.” These guys must feel like they just sat in the old Rathskeller and stepped on one of those rat traps they used to set out at night (yes, really, in that back room). Thankfully, we will finally get some amped-up diversity out there on the marble floor. About time. Okay, I advance apologize for my uncharacteristic snark. - lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:58 pm: I’ll repeat a question I asked on another thread: Did Welch deny the “head bashing” incident? Maybe he did in a court pleading or statement to the police at the time? All I saw was a Tribune article where he complained about the GOP being behind the stories coming out now. If the answer is yes then while the reports are troubling, ok, long ago, no convictions, etc. Not thrilled, but willing to go along. But if the answer is no, then his supporters really should explain why they’re ok with this. - Mr. Green Genes - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:09 pm: “The Tribune article on Welch’s arrest and later harassment complaint makes me wonder how the heck he got votes from any women in the caucus. Certainly someone among the 72 could be a leader and not bring this kind of baggage. It seems completely indefensible.” Welch denied these things happened, just like Kavanaugh. Women voted to confirm Kavanaugh too. - Birds on the Bat - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:14 pm: If you can’t help but make it partisan… Sad that you think domestic violence is a partisan issue. Very telling… - Math - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:16 pm: For the record, Welch placed 9th in the field for Delegate of 4th CD this past March. Granted it was a district he will likely never run in again, still not a bright spot…considering people brought up the fact that Jay lost in 2010. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:16 pm: - Birds on the Bat - … and yet you support Trump, and also type this. === Apparently MeToo only applies to the right side of the aisle.=== The serious issues don’t need this idea of hypocrisy to the plank in one’s own eye. - Inconvenient Truths - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:20 pm: @Lake County Democrat Yes, Rep. Welch put out a statement denying what happened. He said that he and the woman in question are now on good terms. Unlike Kavanaugh, his accuser has not spoken out against him. - dbk - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:25 pm: Anybody taking odds on what Williams and Hoffman (? + Kifowit ++ ?) were promised in return for support of Welch? Majority Leader? Major Committee chairmanships? Other? Madigan has bequeathed something valuable - Black leadership - to his state. He’s also bequeathed it something not so valuable in shutting out women. Madigan to the Southeastern bloc: Be careful what you wish for Madigan to the House Democratic Women’s Caucus: Ditto, in spades One final, masterful stroke. - Disgruntled IL Democrat - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:42 pm: == @Lake County Democrat Yes, Rep. Welch put out a statement denying what happened. He said that he and the woman in question are now on good terms. Unlike Kavanaugh, his accuser has not spoken out against him. == His statement referred to it as a “verbal altercation” but did not explicitly deny it. Then he deflects and nonsensically blames Republicans. And that was only one allegation, there are two other lawsuits where he is accused of using his position of power over women in retaliation for petty personal reasons. I wholeheartedly agree that in IL, there is a partisan double standard. It’s the opposite on the national level, where Democrats hold themselves to a much higher standard than Republicans. - Bear3 - Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 4:12 pm: Class act by MJM and now Speaker Welch.Best to both and the party and state. - 17% Solution - Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 6:35 am: All the Kavanaugh supporters coming out of the woodwork to denounce Chris Welch. You guys are hilarious. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.