* Rachel Hinton at the Sun-Times…
Madigan’s tenure was often described as his “reign,” but [House Speaker Chris Welch] said he has no designs on the throne.
“The media and political junkies assume I’m here to be the new party king — I don’t want to be anybody’s king,” Welch said. “That could be the furthest from the truth. I’m not here to roll out top-down decisions and direction on policymaking and legislative.
“I am really here to get things done — fast and decisively, but done well and collaboratively. People need us to act, they need to see us do that by working together.” […]
“I think it’s extremely important that we are very intentional about providing access to health care, not just to the wealthy, but to lower income communities as well,” Welch said. “We have to not just talk about it, we have to do the work.”
More on this topic from his remarks…
At the end of the day, beyond the politicking, the deal-making and the usual business between business and politics, we ultimately answer to our communities. We are accountable to our communities. We need a spirit of unprecedented cooperation and congeniality at this time. As long as I am speaker, I will work to make sure that the Illinois House of Representatives operates in a way that reflects the commitment to openness and collaboration the public expects of us. I want to talk to you about a few of my priorities here today. Equity and justice is right in the center. Democratized, decentralized leadership is how we arrive at solutions that are deeper and more compelling than the challenges and injustices we face.
Subscribers know more about the appearance.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 8:44 am:
The Republican playbook, when not in power, is to gum up the works. We saw a hint of that earlier when they tried to require votes on all bills in committee. So, getting things done is not high on their list of priorities. So, as you’re busy collaborating, Chris, I’d keep that in mind.
- Pretense Four - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 9:06 am:
I hope he’s serious. When it comes down to it, Madigan was only in it for one guy - himself. I hope that Speaker Welch brings a public servant mentality that is so sorely lacking from our public officials.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 10:31 am:
More small D democrats. Love it.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 10:34 am:
==Democratized, decentralized leadership is how we arrive at solutions that are deeper and more compelling than the challenges and injustices we face.==
Maybe it’s just me but I think we need a translator for this statement. Who in real life talks like this?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 10:38 am:
To the post,
For me, what’s been the most amazing part of this process to succession, be it Welch or whomever was “next”, has been this sense of a “new day” but not shattering or smashing but something as subtle as that one line… talking king or reign.
The real reason this isn’t such big news or a huge statement is how moving away from Madigan has been so uneventful towards the partisan bickering and away from the intra-party and caucus angst.
The “Madigan” fatigue is as real as the Madigan angst, I think.
It’s like a relief, and so navy are so willing to turn the page and not look back, or wave a repeat of the stylings.
This is more of that. Almost like a cleansing, and a release of the fatigue.
The Raunerites need to grasp;
How far can they try to link things “Madigan” as seemingly so many are leaving that thinking behind, and glad to do so.
It was one thing when Madigan was around, now Madigan is turning more into a thought than person, and that imagery is always more work to keep.
- Ok - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 10:45 am:
Responsa, I think it is pretty clear.
- JB13 - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
– We saw a hint of that earlier when they tried to require votes on all bills in committee. –
Oh, the horror. The humanity.
We all know a *real* functioning democracy passes massive reforms that will affect the lives of millions of people, in the wee hours of the morning, after giving legislators a few hours to read the bill.
But I know, I know: Process is for chumps. Three cheers for democracy.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 12:31 pm:
- JB13 - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
Every provision had been in bill language for for years. If you can’t take years to read and more importantly if the GOP legislators can’t take two in their term to do it, then maybe they should resign.
You can literally cut and paste the provisions and see where they came from with the search function on ilga.gov.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 12:43 pm:
Frequently, deadlines provide the necessary impetus to get a bill across the finish line even though a bill’s aspects have been debated ad nauseum for months and sometimes years on end. If you don’t like the supermajority controlling process, then get enough Republicans elected to prevent them from being a superminority. Good luck with that.