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Two Speaker Welch allies appear to be girding for a major battle
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * I lost count of the number of appalled Democratic legislators and lobbyists who sent me this Facebook post by House Speaker Chris Welch’s campaign executive director…  * The same goes for this Speaker Welch insider…  Discuss.
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- Homebody - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:00 am:
This sort of “defense” makes me assume way worse things are going to come out about what the Speaker’s Office knew, and when they knew it.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:02 am:
Somebody didn’t finish reading the Kwame Kilpatrick story. Might want to sit this one out, Maze.
- Just Another Anon - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:03 am:
What @Homebody said. Sounds like my gut reaction from a few days ago about this being the lever that ousts Welch was accurate. Only question is who is moving first and who comes out on top amongst the names discussed.
- VK - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:07 am:
Well, my first thought is that there is a very small, almost inconsequential, difference between the events of “To Kill A Mockingbird” and the current situation.
Tom Robinson didn’t actually DO it.
Atticus didn’t have the unenviable task of telling anyone;
“Ok sure…I know that he knew about it. I know that he also did some questionable things relating to the young woman being discussed.
“I know that his behavior up until this moment has been that of a Donald Trump-esque figure telling us all not to believe our lying eyes and threatening everyone with consequences for even talking about it.
“And I know that he has even gone so far as to try and threaten the newly appointed woman who replaced the man he was protecting because she said that “Maybe I don’t want money from the man who protected Illinois Elected Harasser #24601″. And yes of course all of these are actions that seem a lot like the actions that took down his predecessor.
“But who amongst us hasn’t used our overwhelming power to be a scamp occasionally?!?”
But maybe they did an update and I missed it. I’m like a decade behind popular media.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:08 am:
Therein lies the problem. Welch could choose to be transparent and fulsome. Instead, rally the troops and obfuscate (or at least that is what appears to be happening) with spurious accusations. What is notable is that some people questioning Welch and his handling of the issue seem to be progressive allies.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:09 am:
In any crisis, there is always two people saying “exactttllyy” to each other. /s
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:09 am:
I think this is offense and absolutely no help to whatever he wants to say
- Mister Ed - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:26 am:
The game plan by the Speaker appears to be “Your best defense is an offense”.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:34 am:
This rhetoric doesn’t really work when the criticism is coming from within your party. It’s also the last thing the Dems want to be dealing with when there’s a little more than 90 days to Election Day. But Welch may have left them with little choice.
- 40,000 ft - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:43 am:
Maze playing the race card reminds me of a psychological technique known as “darvo.”
Look it up. It’s being used a lot lately and needs to be spotlighted when a potential abuser deflects by reversing into the victim role.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARVO
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 9:57 am:
Welch must be feeling the heat as he should. The legislators who took on Madigan should stand tall and take Welch on too. The people are behind you. This predictable narrative is used by cowards who have something to hide.
- SpiDem - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 10:02 am:
Two of your closest allies indicating that they are already going to the mattresses?
Makes me think his intra-caucus problems are far worse than we have been led to believe thus far
- Traffic light - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 10:21 am:
What secrets does the ED know? Is that why she is on the offense or the protector. Welch pressed the button to “like” or pick the emoji on social media, why shouldn’t he be accountable? People held the last speaker accountable why is Welch special? He spent over a million dollars protecting Benton, Welch is showing people who he really is and folks are having a hard time accepting.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 10:21 am:
@ Pundent +1
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 10:24 am:
Maze Jackson being an insider advisor to the Speaker is already a major red flag…
- Steve - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:21 am:
- a little more than 90 days to Election Day.-
Probably not the issue that will bring the Illinois GOP back to power . Remember, the GOP has problems even fielding candidates in some districts. So, there’s that.
- Not Rich - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:22 am:
He may very well last as Speaker. But he’s damaged goods within his own caucus. Losing power every day. And having these 2 folks out front is his worst decision. Will get steamrolled next session.
- Already true - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:34 am:
TaQuoya was at the Speaker’s meetings with caucuses. Why? What was her contribution? Seems like her presence was an attempt to intimidate members - go against the Speaker and there will be campaign funding consequences.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:36 am:
Close allies who behave like this aren’t going to help Welch beat the allegation that he exercised terrible judgement.
– MrJM
- SpiDem - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:37 am:
@Already True
Is TaQuoia even on the House staff, or is sure purely on political payroll? If the latter, that is absolutely out of bounds.
- VK - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:37 am:
@ Already true
Got it in one.
- Phineas - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:47 am:
“TaQuoya was at the Speaker’s meetings with caucuses” … really? That’s like the Trump team using the Situation Room to do damage control on Epstein. I thought Dems learned their lesson in Maine.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:57 am:
===really?===
She has regularly attended HDem caucus meetings during session.
- SPI Insider - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 11:58 am:
When you only have one card to play you got to play it. This doesn’t help the Speaker or the caucus in anyway, in fact it’s probably alienating alot of folks. When are we going to hear from Welch? If he wants to stay on offense the general should be out front not their soldiers.
- Lord of the Fries - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:10 pm:
Circling the wagons
- Grandma - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:12 pm:
Is TaQuoya familiar with the expression “Where there’s smoke?”
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:13 pm:
The Speaker’s track record speaks for itself.
It does not have good things to say.
- Strategery - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:21 pm:
Wow. Really not a great way to lower the temperature. I agree with folks who say this is in response to noise within he caucus we can’t see if we’re not within the caucus.
It’s like I told people who kept telling me Joe Biden wasn’t going anywhere after the debate. Candidates and electeds are 100% in right until the moment they are out.
- Wrightwood dad - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:40 pm:
Do better.
- Granite countertop - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
How can any of the women in the caucus support Welch for Speaker at this point? His history is well known prior to his ascent to public office. His social media (now being highlighted by the GOP) is not a good look. Add to that his mishandling of the whole Benton thing and they all must be realizing that there must be a better choice for Speaker. Might we see our first female Speaker in Illinois soon?
- Wonderland - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 1:38 pm:
This is what should be expected from someone who operates with veiled threats and intimidation and labels herself a “baddie.”
- Billy the Kid - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 1:47 pm:
Quite interesting that Mr. Welch is feeling the heat, afraid that an avalanche may come his way. With wild thoughts running through his head, he decides to throw the first punch. When you act in defiance, it will come back at you. I wonder if the Gov and Welch spoke at the Legislator conference while at the same event? Or did the guv keep his cool?
- Downstate - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 2:24 pm:
in 3….2…..1.
“Speaker Welch and his wife ask for privacy during this period of reflection.”
- Frida’s Boss - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 2:31 pm:
The Speakers team is gearing up for their guy. No different when all the unions were calling on behalf of MJM when there was smoke.
- BlueOrangeDem - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 2:47 pm:
I made a comment earlier that was probably uncivil and not about the post, so I apologize, Rich, and thanks for removing it.
I will stick to the point this time. Chris Welch has a concerning history with women, and when combined with recent news, makes him an unfit leader of the Democratic caucus.
The post by his campaign executive director that could be construed as a threat to anyone opposing Welch or his organization for very real and credible reasons also makes her unfit to lead the political organization. I think this was meant to somehow flex her muscle, but in reality it just looks like something a high schooler would post for attention.
- Purple - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 3:31 pm:
Time for some actual leadership. The behavior that almost took Welch down before he became Speaker and was dismissed by women and men alike, mostly women is still toxic. Where are the women now? What do those in leadership say? Someone please step up for the people of Illinois.
- Chicago Voter - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 3:55 pm:
=looks like something a high schooler would post for attention.=
Have you seen her social media posts?
- Purple - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 4:11 pm:
Chicago Voter, the posts you are referring to have been offensive for so long to so many. We are just suppose to understand this is the new leadership “style” we have.
- Ethics Police - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 4:38 pm:
Things didn’t end well when McClain acted as an agent.
While these document do not apply to the political side or lobbyists/ insiders, they are relevant to the overall issue and a good reminder that attempts to harass and intimidate are unbecoming and not a good look for anyone close to the Speaker or any legislative leader.
Ethics Awareness Training
https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/commission/lec/Ethics%20Awareness%20Training.pdf
Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training
https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/commission/lec/Harassment%20and%20Discrimination%20Prevention%20Training.pdf
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 4:45 pm:
Seems likely there is more about to come out, and they know it. This looks like an effort to get ahead of it or diminish what we are about to find out next.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 5:00 pm:
YIKES
- Walker - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 5:46 pm:
MrJM@11:36
You got that right
- Walker - Tuesday, Jul 28, 26 @ 6:18 pm:
TaQuoya’s ad looks like a political threat to anyone criticizing the Speaker. That can’t be helpful.
Maze’s is just on brand, and probably irrelevant.
If Welch needs defenders, he’d better get stronger, more credible ones.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 1:20 am:
Dear lord that’s bad. Someone needs to give his team a hint to read the room.
- Maze Jackson - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 6:29 am:
For the past week or so I have been alluding to what I see as a political lynching occurring in Springfield, trying to shine the light on a scenario that Black People, particularly Black Men in power are subject to, and that is the inherent need of society to protect a particular group of women. I’ll let you figure it out the group, but if you need a hint check out To Kill A Mockingbird or Birth of a Nation. The characters change but the tactics remain.
And while the publication would like to paint this as Maze protecting the Speaker, I’d argue that my history is clear…whenever the lynch mob comes for a Black Person, I will speak up. I have a documented history that goes all the way back to Lewis Jordan being run out of CHA. And regardless of which Black Man it is…the pattern is the same. Black Man gets a little too big for his britches, and the group decides to take him down.
The Black Man can defend himself against anyone but this certain group of women because throughout history, White Men have killed Black Men at the mere suggestion of said group being offended. The most poignant example ironically being Emmett Till, who the Governor just signed a Bill commemorating…all while a modern day version was appears to be happening behind the scenes.
But let’s move away from the Speaker, and focus on the pattern at least how I see it looking through a Black lens.
Black Man thinks a little too much of himself and the white whispers begin. Someone makes an accusation (generally with sexual/harassment based) which has a chilling effect because of course the hyper sexualized Black Man can’t resist the certain women and the match is lit. The town crier whips the groups into a frenzy and the lynch mob starts. No court, no evidence, just accusations.
As the lynch mob builds, they generally find a Black validator looking to get some biscuits to join the chorus they can commence to hanging. Because this is Illinois they have to find “Black” validators to offset the appearances of outright racism…even though the Black People watching have known how the story goes since slavery times.
It’s why Black mothers to this day fear their sons being with this certain group. Because no matter what the TV commercials try to make us believe, a Black Man’s standing is no match for a white woman’s tears.
Sure Rich and the paid anonymous commenters will try to set a narrative around me and my personal relationships…that’s the easy way and make you comfortable in your bias and internalized racism. I get it, it’s an attempt to marginalize me and the issue, but every almost every Black Person in Springfield knows what this is…we see the movie, read the book, and we are not bringing ropes to this lynching.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 10:30 am:
===paid anonymous commenters ===
lol
Hilarious.
- Etown - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 11:15 am:
Agreed. To think folks are being paid to be critical of Welch is delusional.
Speaker looking more desperate by the day, but still looking to see who has the guts in the caucus to call him out and challenge him come January
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 11:20 am:
===The Black Man can defend himself against anyone but this certain group of women===
Now explain Rep. Canty, who is a Black Caucus member https://capitolfax.com/2026/07/22/womens-caucus-simply-referring-a-complainant-to-the-legislative-inspector-general-is-insufficient/
- Shytown - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 11:58 am:
Hey Maze. How are you getting paid? It’s the worst kept secret in Springfield and Chicago that folks pay you to character assassinate and push out misinformation through your platforms (which only seems to be Facebook as you can’t get a gig on air any more). That’s why no one is buying what you’re selling today. Women in Springfield, for decades, have had to endure a culture that belittled them, dismissed them, verbally and sexually abused them, and the list goes on. You don’t get to come here and dismiss the legit voices and concerns of women in Springfield because it doesn’t fit the narrative you are trying to sell. They will not be deterred or swayed by your direct or indirect threats.
- soccermom - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 2:48 pm:
To Maze’s point — my check was late again this month
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:12 pm:
===my check was late again this month===
lol
Of all the criticisms I’ve taken over the decades, that “paid commenters” claim has to be the most outlandish.
But, with some folks, every accusation is a confession.
- Politix - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:24 pm:
For goodness’ sake, the gall.
Because victim-blaming is always the best strategy.
Cry more.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:24 pm:
Do I have to disclose my paid comments when I receive the check, or can I wait until I cash it?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:28 pm:
===Do I have to disclose===
Consult your CPA
- Andrea Durbin - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:34 pm:
I was once a young woman who found out Springfield was not safe for her.
Back in the early 1990s, I was fresh out of grad school. I had written my master’s thesis on policy and advocacy and I was so eager to get started in my career trying to make things better for kids. I was beyond thrilled when my then boss invited me to join him and a few other people for one of his regular trips to Springfield. Imagine my surprise when our day in the Capitol turned into a night out, including dinner in a private room. It was almost all men, including legislators. At dinner I was repeatedly encouraged by my boss to have another glass of wine, and when I declined a third and a fourth on the grounds that I was at work, I was laughed at. After dinner, I was not returned to my hotel but taken out dancing and urged to dance with the male legislators. I don’t remember who all was there except Sen. Aldo DeAngelis, who was old enough to be my father. I hated every minute of dancing with him and his colleagues, trying to evade their hands and their mouths.
I cried when I went back home, so disillusioned and sad. I did not know enough then to be angry. But I sure am angry now. What were those men thinking, trying to pimp me out like that? At work I watched my boss take other pretty young female co-workers to Springfield but I never went again. My boss was also the father of three daughters all near my age but I guess we have seen time and time again that this does not matter when it comes to how men treat women and girls.
It took me nearly 20 years before I went back to Springfield again.
I am glad for the career I have now and proud of all that I have accomplished. But who knows what it could have been if Springfield had been a safe place for me back then?
- Wow - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:39 pm:
@Rich, I read the text below to be a thinly veiled (and ironically, incredibly racist) comment on Canty’s statement. Would be curious if this is how the Speaker feels too.
== As the lynch mob builds, they generally find a Black validator looking to get some biscuits to join the chorus they can commence to hanging. Because this is Illinois they have to find “Black” validators to offset the appearances of outright racism…even though the Black People watching have known how the story goes since slavery times.==
- low level - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:47 pm:
Maze, please tell me where I go to get paid. Ive been reading Capitol Fax since November 1994 and have been a commentator since it went online. How much is that worth? Do I bill by the hour or comments made?
Sorry I cant be a hot shot contract lobbyist like yourself but I’d rather clean my toilet then go around the rail or staff committees like I did when I was younger. More will be revealed, I’m certain.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:52 pm:
After reading Maze Jackson’s comment, I get it…violators are victims.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:54 pm:
I want to discuss a raise, Rich…WHEEEEEE!
- EveryWoman - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:55 pm:
“almost every Black Person in Springfield knows what this is” and almost every woman knows what your playbook is, too.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 3:58 pm:
Racism is real…Maze Jackson isn’t.
- Trinity - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 5:07 pm:
I commend Maze for consistently standing up for the Black community. Awareness and action are still very much needed in 2026, that part isn’t in question.
But let’s look at the flip side. I’m glad Maze brought up Black mothers, because it raises an obvious question: what if one of the victims who spoke out were, say, a Black woman? A daughter of a Black man? Do daughters of Black men deserve to be dismissed simply because they’re women? Is she suddenly “racist” for speaking up against a system that oppressed her as a Black woman? The logic doesn’t hold up.
Maze, you expect others to show up for you, but you’ve openly demeaned Jewish people, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, and Latinos (Mexicanos specifically) at every opportunity, across every platform you have. Your justification is that “we compete for resources, so it’s necessary.” That’s not just inaccurate, it’s the exact narrative used to keep us fighting each other instead of the systems that actually oppress us. Solidarity isn’t a zero sum game, and you don’t get to demand it from people you’ve refused to extend it to.
- Just Bill - Wednesday, Jul 29, 26 @ 8:37 pm:
All this yang about folks always wanting to knock down a Black man when he accrues power rings a bit hollow after years of people across all races voting for Obama and Jesse White and Kwame Raoul. The problem here is Welch. Period.