State leaders tout new legislation they say will make CTA, Metra, and Pace cleaner, safer, and more reliable — while Republicans criticize diverting road funds and highway toll hikes to pay for the ambitious plan.
Read MoreIllinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Westchester) was at Chicago's Union Station Thursday morning to tout a successful legislative session that ended with a transit funding bill.
Read MoreIllinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch joined Tuesday's WGN Morning News to discuss issues around Chicagoland and Illinois with Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten.
Read MoreIllinois House Speaker Chris Welch joined ABC7 to talk about several bills on immigration and public transit on their way to Governor JB Pritzker.
Read MoreEmanuel “Chris” Welch, a Hillside Democrat, said lawmakers gave the Regional Transportation Authority power to raise the regional sales tax by 0.25% because the $1.5 billion bailout plan largely bankrolled by the state’s road fund “needs to be jump-started” and the RTA’s regional sales tax was “readily available immediately.”
Read MoreHouse Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch presents his bill that aims to limit where federal officials can enforce civil immigration law in Illinois during the early hours of Friday, Oct. 31.
Read MoreWith SNAP benefit cuts looming, a local Black-owned grocery store is doing its part to get food to those who need it.
Read MoreState leaders pledge to explore new protections for immigrants but say their power is limited
Read MoreBROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- The countdown is on Monday for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to comply with a judge's ruling to remove a fence blocking the street in front of its Broadview processing center.
Read MoreWEST CHICAGO, Ill. — Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch visited West Chicago this week to meet with local leaders and community members during a special event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Read MoreROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — State Democrats convened for a roundtable discussion in Rockford on Tuesday to explore strategies for business growth in the Stateline area.
Read MoreROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Boosting the Rockford region’s economy and taking concerns from area leaders and residents was the goal of a roundtable event Tuesday held by two state lawmakers.
Read MoreWhile the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has escalated fears of political violence, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been on high alert since June 14, when Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home.
Read MoreWhen Gov. Pritzker leaves the Springfield mansion to pursue his own personal agenda, one of the people who should succeed him & address Illinois' mounting challenges is Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch
Read MoreFrom the city to the suburbs, Juneteenth celebrations are happening all across Chicagoland.
Read MoreProviso Township High Schools District 209 is thrilled to announce that the recently proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Illinois state budget includes a $40 million grant designated for the construction of a new, modern sports complex at Proviso West High School.
Read MoreOver the weekend, the Illinois General Assembly finished its spring legislative session and passed a state budget.
Read MoreCHICAGO — To enact his progressive agenda, Mayor Brandon Johnson is looking to Springfield for an assist, but powerful Speaker of the Illinois House Emanuel “Chris” Welch warns that money is tight.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. (WLS) -- Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch has a warning for Mayor Brandon Johnson: getting help from Springfield this year could be an uphill battle.
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