(The Center Square) – The new term of the Illinois Legislature begins Wednesday afternoon and all eyes are on who will be the next speaker of the House. Longtime Illinois politics observer and University of Illinois Spr.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is the top candidate to take the gavel for the Illinois House. The Hillside Democrat could become the first Black House Speaker in Illinois history if he gains 60 votes Wednesday. Welch gained traction as a candidate after longtime Speaker Mike Madigan announced he would suspend his campaign Monday.
Welch received support from 50 members during a caucus vote Tuesday night with Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) receiving 15 votes. Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) dropped out of the Speaker’s race Tuesday night. Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) ended her campaign for the post Monday night.
Madigan faces ouster as speaker as Illinois House convenes to pick leader by Greg Bishop, The Center Square | January 13, 2021 10:00 AM Print this article
The new term of the Illinois Legislature begins Wednesday afternoon and all eyes are on who will be the next speaker of the House.
Longtime Illinois politics observer and University of Illinois Springfield professor Kent Redfield said whoever becomes speaker, they have to pledge to be independent of Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who’s held the seat for all but two years since 1983.
“Whether [Madigan] finishes out his term or not, I don’t expect him to be the controller behind the curtain, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Redfield said.