Representative Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch replaces Mike Madigan as Mayor of Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois. (WLS) – Democratic Hillside representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch is the next mayor of Illinois, succeeding Mike Madigan, who has held the position for decades.

Welch was elected mayor when the 102nd General Assembly met at noon on Wednesday.

Welch is the first black speaker and replaces Mike Madigan, who has served in this role for almost two years since 1983.

“As a speaker in this Chamber, it is an incredible responsibility. I am honored and my commitment is to do this the best I can,” said Welch.

Welch defeated several rivals, including two women vying for the role of speaker. It took three caucus votes in the past two days before he was elevated to the leadership post.

After lawmakers took their oath on Wednesday afternoon, Welch was elected with 70 votes, 10 more than he needed.

“Welch did not choose this moment. The moment chose Welch,” said state deputy Maurice West (D-Rockford).

The new speaker comes at a time when the state faces a major budget deficit and economic devastation caused by the pandemic COVID-19.

“What we have to do is control the virus,” said Welch. “If we want to grow our economy properly, we have to admit that the federal government’s week-by-week, month-by-month approach to COVID-19 is not working.”

Welch asked both sides of the corridor to work together.

“We face the challenge of the moment by being united, not divided. We are not Democrats and Republicans when we go to work,” said Welch. “Today will be the last time that I will talk about us as Democrats and Republicans because I want to talk about being united.”

Madigan announced on Monday that he was suspending his candidacy to be re-elected mayor after falling short of the 60 votes required during a political convention over the weekend. Wednesday marked 50 years as state representative for Madigan.

Welch praised Madigan for his contribution to Illinois, but Republican leader Jim Durkin drew complaints from Democrats when he criticized Madigan, who left the president’s office while he was under a federal corruption investigation by ComEd. He called Welch to break with Madigan’s iron-fisted leadership model.

“I will act in good faith, but the way I’ve seen things happen since the start of the special investigative committee until today, and, as I said I’m going to hit the reset button,” Mr. Welch is very close to the president of Madigan Chamber, “said Durkin.” I am extending the olive branch of cooperation starting today. “

Welch received unanimous endorsement from House Black Caucus and in the first round of voting by all Democrats last night he received 50 votes.

On Wednesday morning, a second round of voting gave Welch 55 votes with 17 parliamentarians present. Madigan did not participate in the vote, but instead remained in the mayor’s office in the capital, where his spokesman said he had started gathering items to go out.

According to state deputy Mike Zalewski, during a morning convention, Welch defended himself against charges that recently emerged about a domestic violence incident in 2002 involving a girlfriend who told Hillside police that Welch hit her head on a counter after a discussion. Welch also addressed a 2010 federal lawsuit filed by a different woman who alleged sexual harassment and retaliation.

Madigan released a statement on Wednesday after the vote, saying, “As I prepare to pass the speaker’s hammer to a new generation of Democratic leadership, I want to thank the people of my district and the members of the Caucus Democratic Chamber for their faith and trust. that they put on me over the years. I want to thank my team for their hard work on behalf of each member of this caucus. It has been the honor of a lifetime to help bring together people with different backgrounds and backgrounds to serve our state.

“It is time for a new leadership in the Chamber. I wish all the best for President-elect Welch, who begins a historic term as president. It is my sincere hope today that the caucus that I leave for him and for all who will serve beside him is stronger than when I started. And looking at the large and diverse democratic majority we’ve built, filled with young leaders ready to continue to move our state forward, strong women and people of color, and members who represent all parts of our state -I am confident that Illinois remains in good hands. “

Illinois Republican Party President Tim Schneider released a statement saying: “House Democrats have chosen to go from Mike Madigan, America’s most corrupt politician, to Rep. Chris Welch, a senior Madigan lieutenant who was accused reliably by several women in court documents of harassment, assault and retaliation.

It is now clear that House Democrats are doubling up to allow Madigan’s corrupt machine to continue running the state government. In place of Madigan, they promoted a serial harasser and a female aggressor. But despite this, Welch passed the most important test this fall – he has been a loyal ally of Madigan for years, but most recently served as Madigan’s human shield in legislative hearings investigating the corruption scandal that eventually toppled Madigan.

This decision is a farce for the people of Illinois, and we will ensure that all voters understand that House Democrats simply cannot leave Madigan. ”