SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Democrats in the Illinois House are cracking down on junk fees that cost consumers an estimated $90 billion per year, with a new measure that holds businesses accountable for charges added on top of advertised purchase prices.
Read MoreMAYWOOD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined Governor JB Pritzker and other dignitaries this week to celebrate the passage of HB5395, also known as the Healthcare Protection Act (HPA), in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Read MoreCHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week it has received an $8.6 million federal grant to reduce flooding on Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) as part of a new initiative to strengthen transportation infrastructure during severe weather events, making it more resilient, safe and reliable for the public. The grant is matched by a $15 million contribution from IDOT and $1.2 million from Cook County for a combined $25 million investment that will cut down future maintenance and construction costs on I-290.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. – On Thursday Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will lead the Illinois House in a celebration of the life and legacy of former Maywood Representative and Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough who passed away on Sunday.
Read MoreCHICAGO, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker announced this week that Illinois was ranked #1 among 50 states and the District of Columbia for energy democracy and utility accountability, according to the Institute for Local Self Reliance. The study scored state policies on clean energy action, holding utility companies accountable, protecting ratepayers, and other measures that support locally owned clean energy.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Earlier this month, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) honored House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch with the IEA “Friend of Education” award for his commitment to public education.
*Note: Photo is courtesy of IEA in 2023
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Thursday the Teacher Shortage Working Group, designed to address the issue of vacancies in Illinois schools and exploring ways to recruit and retain qualified educators.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD Ill. – The Illinois House of Representatives passed legislation last week implementing an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools after years of negotiations and advocate input. As a product of an elected school board, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch applauded the bill’s passage and all those who worked to get it done.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) is offering another year of educational scholarship opportunities to high school seniors and undergraduate students who are planning to continue their education at two or four-year institutions in the Fall of 2024.
Read MoreCHICAGO, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch was recently honored with the 2024 A. Phillip Randolph “Gentle Warrior Award,” a prestigious award reserved for those who are champions for people of color and the most vulnerable. Speaker Welch was celebrated alongside Civil Rights icon, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., last week at a gala and fundraiser for the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker delivered his sixth budget address to a joint session in the Illinois House of Representatives. Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch presided over the ceremony, while the governor focused on investments in education, health care, and permanently cutting the state’s grocery tax.
Read MoreROSEMONT, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch hosted his third annual leadership retreat for assistant leaders, deputy leaders, and whips of the House Democratic Caucus this week.
Read MoreCHICAGO – As part of Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)’s efforts to improve efficiency of operations, the Department announced that the Bellwood Regional Office has relocated as of today from 4212 W. St. Charles Road in Bellwood to the Westbrook Corporate Center in Westchester. The new office will be known as the Westchester Regional Office.
Read MoreELMWOOD PARK, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch helped celebrate the Maywood-Proviso Rotary Club’s 100th year anniversary as their keynote speaker last week. During the ceremony, the organization honored him with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition. This honor is given to those who demonstrate a commitment to the goals and purposes of the Rotary Foundation, which include advancing a world understanding, goodwill, and peace.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch presented Eddie Mae “Mother” Stegall with House Resolution 551 this week, to honor her decades of devotion and service to Miracle Revival Cathedral.
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has convened a “New Arrivals Working Group” to be led by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview.
Read MoreCHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $5 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program. Following state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for local chambers of commerce that experienced negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch will honor Martin Luther King’s fight for social and economic justice in Montgomery, Alabama this weekend, joining labor leaders at a panel discussion on “Democracy’s Front Lines: Power in Our Nation’s State Legislatures.” Speaker Welch will highlight Illinois’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as the state’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights.
Read MoreWESTCHESTER, Ill. – As the holiday season comes to a close, House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch is reflecting on another successful year in the state legislature.
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