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* Mark Brown has an excellent column about Speaker Chris Welch’s rise to power. He reminds us that Welch stood up to be the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against then-Comptroller Leslie Munger over her blatantly unconstitutional refusal to pay legislator salaries…
By taking the heat for them, Welch earned the appreciation of his fellow legislators, Democrats and Republicans.
As Michael J. Madigan proved over a nearly four-decade career as House speaker, the speakership doesn’t depend on popularity with the public but on the speaker’s standing among his members.
Also…
Welch’s ascendance was years in the making — the result of thoughtful efforts to build relationships with other lawmakers while enhancing his profile as a leader.
And…
He took a leading role in 2019 in getting Black and Latino legislators to work together to create the state’s Access to Justice Program, funding legal services for immigrants and for people who need help getting their criminal records expunged.
That paid off in the speaker contest when Welch, after gaining the support of the 22-member Black Caucus, persuaded the House’s nine Latino members to back him — putting him more than half way to 60.
* And Derrick Blakley talked to actual House Democrats about Welch’s rise…
“Chris’ history of serving as chair of the Executive Committee, the heaviest committee in Springfield where all the huge legislation come through, and his experience with the special (Madigan) investigatory committee he chaired this year,” said Rep. Buckner. “And it was important to me that we find somebody who could get to 60 votes by putting together a coalition of downstate moderates, suburban women, and the Black and Latino caucuses.” […]
After decades under Madigan’s tight-fisted rule, lawmakers are looking for more freedom under Welch.
“I think that his personality is collaborative and being new, he knows that we all have to work together,” said Rep. Kifowit. “He’s promised a 10 year term limit on leadership. He’s very accessible. He’s always been open and ready to listen to new ideas. We can contact him. By email. By cellphone!” […]
Legislators also chafed at Madigan’s tight control on legislative matters. Until recently, lawmakers had to choose three bills to prioritize and no more. On the political side, candidates in swing districts were counseled to shy away from progressive stances.
“They’ve been told in the past under Madigan, being in a district that can flip-flop, they can’t or shouldn’t vote on certain things. There were a lot of folks who took umbrage with that. I think Chris wants to give people a little more independence, a little more autonomy, “said Rep. Buckner. […]
“Speaker Madigan just presented the rules and we’d vote on them without discussion from anybody,” said Rep. Harper. “But Speaker Welch said in a spirit of collaboration, he would wait until he gets input from members of both parties on the rules before we vote on them. It’s a new day when it comes to having a little bit more input on matters that used to be only decided by leadership or a small group of people.”
* Related…
* New state House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch made commitments for reform to force out Madigan. Can he keep them?: “With diversity, you’re going to have a lot of thought. And with a lot of thought you’re going to get a lot of opinions. When you get a lot of opinions, you’re going to get a lot of disagreements. Well, we’re going to learn from each other because we’re all going to be around that table,” he said. “That was an overwhelming theme that I heard from my colleagues and they’re going to be in the room.”
* Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch says he’s Illinois House speaker because ‘my colleagues asked me to step up’: Welch, while a Madigan ally, has signaled a more collaborative approach to leading the chamber, saying he told House members that “before I make a decision you will know about the decision and we’re going to do it in partnership.”
* Commentary: Reflections give insight into new Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch: The Institute recently asked 25 prominent Illinoisans to recommend five books about the state to provide students a nuanced, well-rounded understanding of our state. We received recommendations from U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, former Gov. Jim Edgar, former U.S. Congressman and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Rep. Welch, and others. Mr. Welch’s intriguing recommendations were “Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago” by Mike Royko, “Mayor Harold Washington: Champion of Race and Reform” by Roger Biles, “Dreams from My Father” by Barack Obama, “Our Culture of Pandering” by Paul Simon, and “American Pharaoh,” the book I had given him.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 9:32 am
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I have really high hopes for Welch in this position. I’m afraid the sexual misconduct allegations are going to dog him in public. He needs to resolve those clearly and as quickly as possible
Comment by Bothanspy Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 9:38 am
Great reading list. Another gem I discovered at Newberry Library Book Fair is “Clout: Mayor Daley and his City” written by Len O’Connor and published in 1975.
Filled with a surfeit of characters.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:08 am
== I have really high hopes for Welch in this position. I’m afraid the sexual misconduct allegations are going to dog him in public. He needs to resolve those clearly and as quickly as possible.==
What do you have in mind? There is nothing he can do that he hasn’t done already.
Comment by Fly like an eagle Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:09 am
Promising more latitude and freedom for members at the start of his Speakership is expected. IMHO, I think the Speaker will rein in that promise over time, seeing that true ‘democracy’ within the confines of the House business will be too unwieldy and diluting. Madigan’s hammer part of the ‘velvet hammer’ sobriquet ( exemplified by the ‘each member will present 3 top priorities’) was a operational choice that fit his style and temperament. Reigning 40 years as House Capo isn’t likely with a “more power to the (Representative) people” leadership style. Of course, I could be wrong….. (which I hear often).
Comment by Sayitaintso Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:13 am
Anyone besides me see the irony of Madigan being dogged by the METoo movement and a pass on Welch’s treatment of women in his personal and public life…if not, where did you purchase your blinders?
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:37 am
I guess I am a Pollyanna but I have high hopes for the new Speaker and take him at his word. But then I always have hope for the new guy and am usually disappointed. I bet that Paul Simon book Our Culture of Pandering is good and even truer today I have to read it
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:39 am
When chair Elaine Nekritz brought the House judiciary committee to downtown Chicago in spring 2013 for a hearing on the concealed carry bill, Rep. Welch questioned Chicago alderman Willie Cochran, (a former Chicago cop) and NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde about the dangers of Duty to Inform when licensed citizens interact with police. This was before concealed carry license holder Philando Castile was killed by police in Minnesota.
Chris Welchs’ actions show that he is a leader who walks the talk on civil rights. I wonder how many members of the ISRA and NRA know that it was a member of the black caucus who stood up for civil rights, while Richard Pearson and Todd Vandermyde sold out their lives to police unions?
Comment by Elmer Keith Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 10:56 am
Collaborative seems to be the word for 2021.
Comment by BobCL Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 11:08 am
All of Len O’Connor’s books should be must reading. Royko’s book is fine but O’Connor took a more serious look at the subject.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:36 pm
===All of Len O’Connor’s books should be must reading===
Big fan. “And I am Len O’Connor” will always be burned into my head.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 1:45 pm
Len O’Connor’s daily commentaries are legendary. I believe they were on NBC. He was a big thorn in the Machine’s side.
Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 3:04 pm
The voluntary term limit? When Tom Cross first became minority leader, he also promised a term limit. That promise was quietly discarded a few years later. Will Welch honor his?
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jan 19, 21 @ 5:48 pm