Democratic Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch replaces Michael Madigan as speaker
Credit: AP
Illinois state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, left, talks with fellow state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, during the lame-duck session for the Illinois House of Representatives held at the Bank of Springfield Center, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Springfield, Ill. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP) Author: Associated Press Updated: 2:47 PM CST January 13, 2021
SPRINGFIELD, Ill The Illinois House on Wednesday elected its first Black speaker to replace the longest-serving legislative leader in modern U.S. history, picking Democratic Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch for the job and pushing aside Michael Madigan due to an ongoing bribery investigation.