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* House Speaker Chris Welch interview with Mike Miletich in January…

The Capitol Bureau asked Welch if he can separate himself from Madigan’s influence to have his own voice and vision. He noted the former Speaker should be applauded for everything he was able to accomplish for the state and Democrats. Welch also stressed he has learned a lot from Madigan’s leadership.

“There are some things that I would like to continue. But, there’s some things that I would do differently,” Welch added. “I’m going to distinguish myself. People may doubt what you say, Mike. But, they believe what you do. You’re going to hear me say that a lot.”

* Tribune article…

Illinois Democrats are turning the spring legislative session into a partisan tour de force, using their majority to push legislation aimed at helping their party maintain control of Springfield, reward their allies and advance social policies.

With supermajorities in the House and Senate under two new Democratic leaders, the moves in the General Assembly bring home to Illinois the hyperpartisan divides of Washington as both parties move further toward catering to their extremes.

For Republicans who looked at the January departure of Michael Madigan — the embattled state Democratic Party chair and the nation’s longest-serving House speaker — as an opportunity for a fresh start, the session has been a rude awakening.

“We have been completely locked out of every important issue of the day that we have in this state,” said House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. “They have turned what was a pretty partisan operation that we’ve seen here under Mike Madigan to a new level.”

* Daily Herald editorial…

What do Welch and his cronies believe?

Power. Getting it, keeping it, expanding it. Manipulating whatever needs to be manipulated to ensure it. Ignoring the tenets of democracy if need be. Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve.

Perhaps we should be grateful that they didn’t send a fighter jet up to hijack a plane over Springfield with a political dissident on board.

Oh my goodness.

* WUIS…

When budget bills were rushed to the House floor shortly before midnight, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) again grew frustrated with the majority party, whose budget negotiators earlier in the day acknowledged only Democrats’ pet infrastructure projects were included in appropriations.

“I had hope this year – hope for a new day in Springfield,” Durkin said, repeating a phrase he’s used dozens of times since Welch replaced scandal-embroiled Madigan in January. “I just couldn’t have been more wrong based on what’s happening tonight.”

* But…

“We have accomplished, I would say, quite a bit; it has been a very successful session,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said. “No. 1, we have a balanced budget on time. It helps our state’s most vulnerable, and puts us on a path to our fiscal health and recovery, really believe that this budget is going to help move Illinois in a positive direction”

* And…

Despite the unfinished business, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who took over in January from embattled veteran Michael Madigan, said “this has probably been one of the most successful sessions around here in a long time.”

Welch chalked up disagreements between House and Senate Democrats to “diversity” in the two caucuses.

“We’re not going to always agree. Sometimes we disagree,” he said. “I don’t want to discourage disagreement because disagreement actually sometimes makes you stronger.”

* Politico…

WINNERS

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who navigated the complexities of being speaker while still operating in a pandemic and having to juggle the once-a-decade redistricting process. He got lawmakers in line without (much) drama and he made quick decisions when drama arose.

* The Question: Yeah, it’s not quite finished yet, but how would you rate Speaker Welch’s first spring session? Make sure to explain your answer. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 2:59 pm

Comments

I will give him an A

Comment by Bruce Rauner Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:08 pm
Where is the outrage in Republican controlled states where this happens. I never see it. Democrats won a majority of seats and they are doing what they said they would. There is not filibuster like in the US Senate so they will do what they want. That is how it works.

Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:15 pm
==Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve==

How exactly are they disrespecting the voters? Those voters sent a large majority of Democrats to the General Assembly. Seems to me they are doing exactly what those voters wanted them to do.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:15 pm
But welch. Lol

Comment by Red ghetto in a blue state Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:24 pm
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Taking $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars and allocating it exclusively to Democrat districts is unacceptable in every form. Every taxpayer contributes and is deserving of investment in their communities.

Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:27 pm
Sorry to go off topic, Rich, but…holy moly, the Daily Herald Editorial Board needs to take a breather. They made FOX News look tame with just those two paragraphs…

“Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve.”

Well if this was true, why would Republicans be also complaining about the Democrats increasing the amount of people who are able to vote in Illinois through the elections bill? Pick a lane.

If anything you’re seeing the result of increased democratization, as the post-Madigan era has increased the voices of individual representatives (yes, mostly on one side of the aisle…but they do have a super-majority) who are responding to their constituents.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:28 pm
=== Democrat districts===

Slow down, Speed Racer.

How many Raunerites voted for projects?

It’s tiring seeing Raunerites vote red, then show up to ribbon cuttings and writing press releases.

Vote green, get stuff.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:28 pm
B+ He has two big accomplishments, along with Don Harmon: ushering through a balanced budget and drafting a map that should preserve the supermajority for the next decade. That required effective leadership in holding the caucus together.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:32 pm
===Perhaps we should be grateful that they didn’t send a fighter jet up to hijack a plane over Springfield…===

I thought Bailey used a helicopter?

To the question: A-. There were some bumps on the road, and some things didn’t get done on time. But a budget that increases education funding, makes debt payments and improves the fiscal health of the state is to be applauded. Nice job under unprecedented circimstances.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:36 pm
=== Every taxpayer contributes and is deserving of investment in their communities.===

Your anger is misguided.

If you even pretend to think that… you should be so angry Raunerites don’t vote for projects to better this state, no matter the party.

But, you mouth-breathe “Democrat districts” so you’re wholly disingenuous from jump street.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:36 pm
I believe he did great, could have been ugly being the new guy. In one word - Successful.

Also it was boring (in a good way) not having some sort of investigation or blame going on.

Comment by BTO2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:37 pm
===What do Welch and his cronies believe?

Power. Getting it, keeping it, expanding it. Manipulating whatever needs to be manipulated to ensure it. Ignoring the tenets of democracy if need be. Disrespecting the voters they presumably are trying to serve.===

So, Daily Herald, you’re calling Welch Pate Philip II?

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:37 pm
Ok, enough…

To the post… “… how would you rate Speaker Welch’s first spring session?”

It’s an A-/B+

Not all smooth sailing, but priorities were done (Budget), timed necessities done too (Maps)… and the caucus was loudly silent in its unity. That’s a credit to Welch and herding cats as best he could.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:39 pm
Democrats spent the session spiking the football instead of doing the blocking and tackling needed to restore faith in state government.

Maps were down in secret and voted on at the last minute, as was the budget.

Judge Speaker Welch on what he promised at the beginning of the session:

“I do believe that different committeepeople do different things, and we could probably encourage and hope that they would do things in a more open and transparent manner.”

Welch said part of voters’ rejection comes from distrust of legislators. He urged addressing that with ethics reform during the current legislative session “because we can’t serve the public if they don’t trust us.”

“Evidenced by the failure of the progressive tax, folks don’t trust us,” Welch said. “If we can rebuild that trust, it’ll be amazing what voters will help us do.”

https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/24/22299826/speaker-emanuel-chris-welch-madigan-kodatt-kelly-castro-harris-graduated-income-tax

Speaker Welch failed by a mile to live up to his promise of rebuilding trust in state government he promised at the beginning of the session.

JB failed the voters by not living up to his pledge to have an independent map making process.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:43 pm
If I’m grading as a capital letter “Democrat”, he gets an A. If I’m grading him as a small-d “democrat” he gets a C-.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:49 pm
I would give him an 8 out of 10.

Very good and an impressive start out of the gate with an excellent grasp of leadership, but leaving room for improvement, which I can sense speaker Welch is interested in accomplishing not just for the state as a whole but because that seems to be how he conducts himself personally - in a good way.

And to go off road just a bit…

“Every taxpayer contributes and is deserving of investment in their communities.”

Quite a loud batch of them have been saying - even demanding - they want cuts to state spending, up to and including the representatives of those areas in the statehouse.

Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:50 pm
For his first term as speaker, Mr. Welch did very well than expected. I’d give him an A-.
He projected visually to be ‘in command’ of his chamber; he stopped early fires before they got out of hand with internal member issues. And he passed most of his caucus’ initiatives, to say the least.

For example, he got the delicate issue of the re-map and budget neatly done and he maintained his composure during former CoS Mapes indictment, coming off as saying ‘that’s old news and not part of my inner team..’

Lastly, at the conclusion of this year’s session, shaking hands with Leader Durkin always looks to the IL resident and members; it demonstrates collegiality.

Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:53 pm
One can always do better, and no advocate wants to follow the GA into June because they didn’t finish on time but A- for major accomplishments and a smooth running of the House.

Comment by Advocate Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:57 pm
I would give him an A-/B+. It looks like he accomplished what he set out to. The gripes of the GOP have more to do with their unwillingness to be serious as a party and allow themselves to be hijacked by the likes of the Eastern Bloc who can’t even go green on ethics reform.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 3:59 pm
“Every taxpayer contributes…” and red swaths of the state take in more than they put out, year after year. Maybe it is time to even it out a bit.
My grade? A strong rookie B+.

https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/14/whos-bailing-out-whom-these-county-numbers-might-surprise-you/

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:02 pm
I agree with the consensus: A-
Taking over from the once in a generation Speaker, during Redistricting with a delay in Census results at a time of fiscal crisis and a pandemic and coming out miles ahead of where anyone thought on a sound budget and ensuring your party’s dominance— we are really just criticizing the trimmings. The meat is all there. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Comment by Boomerang Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:06 pm
Building trust? Competence does that. Welch took a solid step in getting the budget under control. He achieved his party’s priorities. His party is united. Not bad for a rookie.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:12 pm
A solid B. Would like to see more consistency and organization, but overall good. Always amazed that Republicans are allowed to play secessionists and then take credit for stuff they voted against. Glad Dems put their foot down. If you want a seat at the adult table, stop throwing food like children.

Comment by SWIL_Voter Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:24 pm
I give him a B…which is an A in Illinois.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:33 pm
===Perhaps we should be grateful that they didn’t send a fighter jet up to hijack a plane over Springfield with a political dissident on board.===

Sometimes… no, every time… 73 votes probably means you can pass stuff the 45 others might not agree with… or phony editorial boards see as democracy in action.

What does the DH want… Dunkin, Franks, and Drury gridlock?

Taking gummies while writing is not recommended for editorials.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:35 pm
===gummies while writing===

That ain’t the weed, my dude. That’s something else entirely.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:36 pm
===That ain’t the weed, my dude. That’s something else entirely.===

LOL… It’s a bad trip.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:41 pm
===That’s something else entirely.===

“I wasn’t looking too good, but I was feeling real well.”

—Keith Richards

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 4:50 pm
The Republicans in DC won’t even vote for a truly bipartisan committee the negotiated to investigate an armed insurrection that attempted to interfere with the democratic process and the Daily Herald is accusing Welch and the IL Dems of acting like Belarus because they cut some corporate tax loopholes? This is what normalizing reactionary right wing politics looks like.

Comment by Chicago Blue Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 5:10 pm
I give him an “A”. To step in and effectively lead, with limited drama, while following MJM….it is a major accomplishment and should not be taken for granted. I am impressed, and congratulate him. Well done.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 5:13 pm
Welch gets an A-. Good but not great session.

As for the complaints from Republicans, editorial boards, etc. about not getting anything from Springfield, they should be reminded that they were adamant about getting rid of Madigan. Careful what you wish for.

Comment by Suburbanon Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 6:41 pm
=== What do Welch and his cronies believe? Power. Getting it, keeping it, expanding it. ===

When did Kristen McQueary start working for the Daily Herald?

Comment by Jamboree Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 7:20 pm
I think he did a good job for his first time as the commander in chief.

Comment by M Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 8:44 pm
I say Welch has earned an A- for this term. The complaints that he used his party’s advantages to pass his party’s agenda are laughable. That’s what parties do when they get a super majority.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 9:58 pm
I’d give Welch an “A,” which is not to say that next year can’t be even better.

The transition: minimal drama (that was huge); collegiality among the caucus: very good (I actually appreciate dissent within a super-majority, it’s healthy); type of legislation: includes near- or at-nation-leading (voting laws - just look at what other states are introducing these days), energy (almost there), HHS (expanded services to those who most need them), criminal justice reform.

Plus a balanced budget (with help from the feds, but still) and new maps.

Regarding the latter: if Republicans want more say in redrawing maps, then they should increase their overall representation throughout the state. You can’t demand that a Democratic super-majority gerrymander a state to favor a super-minority. Politics is a pragmatic, not a charitable enterprise.

Comment by dbk Tuesday, Jun 1, 21 @ 11:18 pm