SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) 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 after he was implicated in an ongoing bribery investigation.
Welch, an eight-year House veteran from the Chicago suburb of Hillside, garnered 70 votes from the 118-member House just days after emerging as the front-runner alternative to Madigan, 78, who was first inaugurated as a House member a half-century ago.
Madigan has wielded the gavel for 36 of the past 38 years and had sought another term in his post despite 19 members of his caucus announcing their opposition in the past six months. But after coming up short in a Sunday caucus vote, Madigan suspended his campaign, allowing lawmakers to consider others rather than force a potentially drawn-out floor fight that would paralyze all other business.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois House on Wednesday elected its first Black speaker to replace the longest-serving legislative leader in modern U.S. history
Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch succeeds Mike Madigan as Illinois House speaker
WLS
Share:
Welch was elected Speaker when the 102nd General Assembly convened at noon Wednesday.
Welch is the first Black speaker, and takes over for Mike Madigan who has served in that role for all but two years, since 1983. As the speaker of this chamber, that s an awesome responsibility. I m honored, and my commitment is to do it to the best of my ability, Welch said.
JUST IN: State Rep Chris Welch will be the next House Speaker replacing Mike Madigan. @ABC7Chicago Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) January 13, 2021
BREAKING: Welch secured 69 votes to lock up the Speaker position. Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) January 13, 2021