Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
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Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois Dems celebrate $1.5B transit investment for Chicago area
Illinois Dems celebrate $1.5B transit investment for Chicago area

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.

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Andrea GarciaNovember 20, 2025
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch touts success of transit funding bill
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch touts success of transit funding bill

Illinois 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.

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Andrea GarciaNovember 7, 2025
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch joins Tuesday's WGN Morning News
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch joins Tuesday's WGN Morning News

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch joined Tuesday's WGN Morning News to discuss issues around Chicagoland and Illinois with Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten.

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Andrea GarciaNovember 5, 2025
IL Speaker Welch talks immigration, transit bills on way to Gov. Pritzker
IL Speaker Welch talks immigration, transit bills on way to Gov. Pritzker

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch joined ABC7 to talk about several bills on immigration and public transit on their way to Governor JB Pritzker.

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Andrea GarciaNovember 4, 2025
Illinois House Speaker Welch stands by revenue choices made in $1.5B mass transit bailout
Illinois House Speaker Welch stands by revenue choices made in $1.5B mass transit bailout

Emanuel “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.”

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Andrea GarciaNovember 3, 2025
Illinois lawmakers approve ban on civil immigration arrests in state courthouses
Illinois lawmakers approve ban on civil immigration arrests in state courthouses

House 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.

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Andrea GarciaNovember 3, 2025
Forest Park grocer hosts shopping spree to support community as SNAP cuts loom
Forest Park grocer hosts shopping spree to support community as SNAP cuts loom

With SNAP benefit cuts looming, a local Black-owned grocery store is doing its part to get food to those who need it.

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Andrea GarciaOctober 27, 2025
Illinois lawmakers condemn ICE raids in Chicago, weigh state response
Illinois lawmakers condemn ICE raids in Chicago, weigh state response

State leaders pledge to explore new protections for immigrants but say their power is limited

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Andrea GarciaOctober 17, 2025
Illinois leaders call for removal of Broadview ICE facility fence as judge's deadline nears
Illinois leaders call for removal of Broadview ICE facility fence as judge's deadline nears

BROADVIEW, 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.

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Andrea GarciaOctober 14, 2025
Illinois Speaker of the House Visits West Chicago for Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Illinois Speaker of the House Visits West Chicago for Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

WEST 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.

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Andrea GarciaOctober 1, 2025
Housing and energy top priorities for Rockford area economic development
Housing and energy top priorities for Rockford area economic development

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — State Democrats convened for a roundtable discussion in Rockford on Tuesday to explore strategies for business growth in the Stateline area.

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Andrea GarciaSeptember 24, 2025
Northern Illinois leaders hold roundtable in Rockford
Northern Illinois leaders hold roundtable in Rockford

ROCKFORD, 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.

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Andrea GarciaSeptember 24, 2025
Illinois House speaker says lawmakers are more aware of their surroundings
Illinois House speaker says lawmakers are more aware of their surroundings

While 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.

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Andrea GarciaSeptember 18, 2025
Illinois has a good future with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch
Illinois has a good future with Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch

When 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

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Andrea GarciaSeptember 5, 2025
Pritzker, Welch celebrate Juneteenth at Hillside Memorial Park District
Pritzker, Welch celebrate Juneteenth at Hillside Memorial Park District

From the city to the suburbs, Juneteenth celebrations are happening all across Chicagoland.

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Andrea GarciaJune 20, 2025
Legislative leaders discuss next steps for failed transit reform push
Legislative leaders discuss next steps for failed transit reform push

Service cuts to begin in 2026 without financial help from state lawmakers

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Andrea GarciaJune 6, 2025
Proviso District 209 to Receive $40 Million Grant for New Modern Sports Complex
Proviso District 209 to Receive $40 Million Grant for New Modern Sports Complex

Proviso 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.

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Andrea GarciaJune 4, 2025
Speaker of the Illinois House reflects on ‘responsible and compassionate and balanced’ budget
Speaker of the Illinois House reflects on ‘responsible and compassionate and balanced’ budget

Over the weekend, the Illinois General Assembly finished its spring legislative session and passed a state budget.

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Andrea GarciaJune 4, 2025
Illinois House speaker urges Mayor Johnson to reveal Springfield wish list
Illinois House speaker urges Mayor Johnson to reveal Springfield wish list

CHICAGO — 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.

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Andrea GarciaJanuary 13, 2025
IL Speaker Welch downplays suggestion Chicago mayor does not have good relationship with state
IL Speaker Welch downplays suggestion Chicago mayor does not have good relationship with state

WESTCHESTER, 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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Andrea GarciaJanuary 13, 2025
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